For consultation of the Country Sheet, containing detailed information about Bosnia, please click here (English), click here (Bosnian), click here (French), click here (Dutch)  

Association DRINA-SREBRENICA is a non-profit and independent non-governmental organization established in April 1996, in Tuzla with the aim to provide help and support for refugees and displaced persons from the Srebrenica region. Initiating the return process in the area of the municipality of Srebrenica in 2000, DRINA became one of the first local NGOs to be involved in return processes, with concrete activities and support, providing a significant contribution to the return process in the Srebrenica region. In 2006 DRINA started to cooperate with Maatwerk Bij Terugkeer (the Netherlands) to support and monitor the return process to Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Netherlands. From 2007 Caritas Belgium also started to work with DRINA to support the returnees from Belgium (in cooperation with Maatwerk Bij Terukgeer).

The Miska family, a couple with three daughters, arrived in Belgium in 2009 and asked for asylum in the same year. During their procedure they were staying in a local shelter initiative. However, after several negative decisions, they decided in April 2010 to return to Mostar, in Bosnia. In good cooperation with our local partner the family decided to use part of the reintegration budget for the purchase of traditional products, like fabrics, to resell them afterwards on the market of Mostar. The other part would then be used for the rental of a small shop in Mostar. This city is a real touristic attraction for foreigners, especially in summer. In the winter however the family switches to the sale of perfumes and cosmetics. Thanks to this combination, the family is able to generate a small income during the whole year. Unfortunately, they are confronted with the problem of registration of their business, a really expensive administrational cost for Bosnian standards. Strangely, this also excludes them from the access to cheap health care. Their plan is thus to save enough money for the registration of their small business. 

For any question about reintegration in Bosnia, please contact:

Stefanie Duysens

+32 2 211 10 52

s.duysens@caritasint.be