Approximately two million people from Bosnia and Herzegovina are refugees abroad or displaced within the country as a result of the war. In accordance with the Dayton/Paris Peace Agreement, both Entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed to accept those wishing to return to their homes of origin without hindrance. The international community continues to support this long and complex process by providing the funds necessary to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons.

During 1996 and 1997 the EC allocated over 300 MEURO toward the reconstruction of basic infrastructure and housing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 1996, the EU donated approximately 51 MEURO toward a reconstruction and return programme that included rehabilitation of housing and associated infrastructure in order to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons. Out of this amount 20 MEURO was allocated through the Essential Aid Programme (EAP) toward the reconstruction of housing.

The 1996 London Peace Implementation Conference (PIC) emphasized the need to link economic regeneration projects with those for returns. Subsequently, in 1997, the EC committed approximately 42 MEURO to projects that were specifically set up for return and approximately 33.6 MEURO to economic development projects (see the Economic Regeneration programme.) This included a 15 MEURO mortgage loans scheme for home repairs designed also to strengthen the banking sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the eventual revitalisation of the housing sector.

The 1997 assistance projects center on the main areas within the country that reflect the UNHCR priority list for returns. The priority areas that received EC assistance are as follows: the Bihac Canton (Una Sana region), the Anvil and Banja Luka regions, Sarajevo and surroundings, the Posavina corridor (including Brcko and Tuzla), Central Bosnia Canton and Mostar.

The establishment of the Reconstruction and Return Task Force (RRTF) in 1997 between various international organizations (including the European Commission Representation Office/ECHO), jointly chaired by the OHR and UNHCR, has increased inter-agency co-operation and programme co-ordination in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The RRTF, through its regional offices, shares information and co-ordinates implementation of the return programmes. The RRTF aims to formalize the effective regional co-ordination structures for reconstruction and return and increase efficiency in programming.

Figures for 1997 indicate that 93% of returnees were those going back to an area where they are the ethnic majority. As majority returns slow down the remaining group of returnees are those wishing to return to an area were they are the ethnic minority. The 1997 the Bonn Peace Implementation Conference (PIC) stressed the importance of minority return for large-scale repatriation in 1998. This has highlighted many issues that need to be resolved on the question of security and the influence of local authorities and politics on the return process.

The 4^th Donors Conference, held on the 7^th and 8^th May 1998, illustrated the necessity of improved security structures and increased efforts by authorities to assist the return movement and co-operation and co-ordination between the various organisations. In order to ensure that responsibility for reconstruction is gradually taken over by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the authorities must make further efforts to improve internal co-operation and strengthen economic and social institutions. The donors also outlined the need to focus efforts on job creation and educational opportunities to attract return, in addition to reconstruction. At the 4^th Donors Conference the EC donated a total of 264 MEURO to Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which over 110 MEURO will be implemented through the reconstruction and return programme.

Consequently, the 1998 EC reconstruction and return programme, while mainly directed at rehabilitation and reconstruction of housing, and basic and social infrastructure (70%), also included a percentage of project funds for employment generation activities. Over 110 MEURO has been committed to the integrated reconstruction programme to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons. The EC integrated approach encompasses many sectors in order to encourage renewed social and economic activity with a view to enable the return process. This includes the rehabilitation of housing, health care facilities, schools, agriculture, and basic infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, water and energy supplies, and employment generation activities.

At the 5^th Donors Conference the EC pledged a further 220 MEURO to the reconstruction and recovery programme for Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1999. Of this amount 69 MEURO has been allocated to the returns programme. The emphasis remains on integrated return projects with a commitment of 44 MEURO with the focus on economic and employment generation. Consequently, an additional 10 MEURO has been provided for mortgage credits and 5 MEURO for a micro credit facility that will assist returnees in becoming economically independent. A further 4 MEURO was allocated for a quick impact facility that aims to have immediate and visible results in the creation of jobs for returnees. In addition, 2 MEURO has been made available in support to infrastructure micro projects and 4 MEURO for mine clearance operations in the areas where refugee return projects will be undertaken.

In 2000 the amount of 34,1 MEURO has been allocated for the Housing and related activities. The main objectives are:

• Breakthrough and Spontaneous Returns;
• Regional Cross Border returns (axis Croatia to BiH);
• Contested space and Property legislation Implementation;
• Sustainability of return.

In December 1999, the EC Delegation defined with the central RRTF the priority areas for OBNOVA support in the year 2000. Consultations with the regional RRTF offices, UNHCR and ECHO led to the identification of geographical areas (clusters) for the return of displaced persons in BiH. The regional dimension has also been incorporated with the return of refugees to BiH (mainly from Croatia). Under this envelope 17 contracts has been signed. With these contracts 2,118 houses will be reconstructed for approx. 8,500 beneficiaries. Each project includes also the infrastructure rehabilitation and job creation activities.

An amount of 8,8 MEURO is set aside to fund projects in support of spontaneous return movements. Projects under this programme were contracted by the EC Delegation after close consultation with the RRTF field offices. Under this budget 9 contracts were signed and with these contracts 419 houses will be reconstructed for approx. 2,000 spontaneous returnees.

Support in amount of 2,3 MEURO will be given to the UNHCR’s Legal Aid and Information Centres (LAICs) and Protection Work Projects. The network of LAICs, which serve as the protection arm of UNHCR in the field, is well established in BiH. They are the eyes and ears reaching out to returnees, displaced persons and refugees through competent local staff. The LAICs project helps refugees and displaced persons to take informed decisions about their wish to return, and they assist returnees in defending their rights. They also undertake legal representation and monitor the court system and implementation of legislation at the local level. They bridge ethnic and political divide and have gained the population’s confidence. In 2000, UNHCR will engage seven implementing partners for the LAICs, of whom five are local NGOs.

The UNHCR Protection staff, operating from a network of 26 offices throughout BiH, provides crucial services for the overall return process. This includes the development of relevant national legislation, the overall direction and monitoring of the Legal Aid Centres and support to cross-border repatriation of refugees in the region.

Founded in 1997 by the OSCE and the Council of Europe, the Benefits Commission for Legal Aid in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been operating successfully and has contributed to give access to justice for those who otherwise would be excluded from legal services.

It is expected that the majority of applications placed with the Benefits Commission will be property or labour related cases linked to violations of the rights of citizen and in particular of returnees. The support provided to this project in amount of 0,5 MEURO is fundamental to enable the Benefits Commission to fulfil its mandate.