Bosnia and Herzegovina

The collapse of the former socialist system and the war that followed led to physical an socio-economic devastation and loss of employment. Rural people fled to urban areas for security and survival. The 1992-1995 war transformed Bosnia-Herzegovina from a medium-income to a poor country, and now it ranks next to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. During the war, farmers lost 50 to 60 percent of their assets and 90 percent of their livestock, and when the war ended many returned to the countryside and to subsistence farming to escape poverty. At present about half of the rural population relies on agriculture for a livelihood. Also, about 19.5 percent of the population is poor and suffers serious shortages in almost all aspects of welfare, which is about 780,000 people. A further 30 percent of the population is vulnerable to poverty in the event of an income shock.

Poverty is widespread throughout the country but is more acute in rural regions, especially former front-line areas. Many lack access to basic services such as safe drinking water. Since the war, the number of households headed by women has increased to one in four. These households are at greater risk of poverty. The widespread poverty in Bosnia-Herzegovina is largely an outcome of the war and the difficult transition of a former communist state to a market economy.

The most powerful barriers apart from security concerns to the potential and sustainable returns are the persistent and endemic problems minorities face in realizing rights to education, to health, to social security including access to social services, pensions and above all, the right to work.

The lack of equal access to employment has its roots in the war from 1992 to1995, when mass dismissals of workers belonging to the “other” ethnic group coupled with the illegal expropriation of their businesses and other assets, were in many cases the first step in aggressive campaigns of “ethnic cleansing” which included killings, forcible transfers and deportations.

Ethnic discrimination in employment is not only legally impermissible but also economically inefficient. Victims of war0time discrimination are denied justice by the failure of the authorities to provide an effective remedy to workers affected by discriminatory dismissals.

Aside from ethnic discrimination that threatens people’s rights, is gender discrimination. Women have been particularly affected by the breakdown of social cohesion and the downward spiral into poverty. Women lack access to land, skills training, finances and equipment. They are often denied participation in political decision-making even though they often assume responsibility for the survival of the family. Women make up only 24 percent of employed Bosnians, and women who are employed face discrimination and receive lower waves.

Since the end of the war, Bosnia has become a country of transit and destination for women from eastern and central European countries who are forced or deceived into prostitution. Many vulnerable women and girls become easy prey for those who traffic in women from these countries.

Much data about AIDS/HIV in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were lost during the war. However, it has been verified that many people who lived with HIV/AIDS left the country or were lost to follow-up before treatment became available because of the war.

By the end of 2004, Bosnia and Herzegovina had reported cumulative totals of 101 HIV cases, including 74 people who developed AIDS and 42 who later died. For the year 2004, the authorities reported 31 new HIV cases, 3 new AIDS cases and 2 AIDS deaths. This is less than 0.2% of the population at the most.

Although HIV prevalence in the country is relatively low and stable, studies suggest high levels of HIV risk indicators, such as injecting drug use and low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

There have been no outbreaks of an epidemic and pandemic disease from this country recently.

Air pollution from metallurgical plants, water shortages, and poor or failing sanitation services are a few of the problems facing the country, but the destruction of its infrastructure because of the civil war that took place from 1992 to 1995 is the most pressing current issue. Most activity since the war’s end has been concentrated on restoring basic needs and services, rather than addressing environmental problems directly. However, despite their preoccupation with rebuilding a war-torn infrastructure, leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not lost sight of environmental issues—the country was an observer at the World Conservation Congress in Montréal in 1996.

A recent literacy survey (UNESCO/UNDP) estimates that 94.6 % of adults (around 4.2 million) are literate, and it was estimated that 98.4% of the male are literate while 91.1% of the female are.

Association Lara - The Bosnian group known as Lara offers assistance to victims of trafficking in human beings. Its mission falls within the framework of funding provided by a UN trust fund. At present, it has already helped more than 30 trafficking victims. These victims are lodged in a protected shelter, given food and appropriate clothing, and offered medical help. The group provides continued assistance to victims throughout the course of any legal proceedings. In addition, working with the IOM's Sarajevo office, Lara helps young women in their voluntary return to their country of origin.

Bosnian Children Relief - Bosnian Children Relief (B.C.R.) was founded in January 1993 by Fatima and Saban Basic to provide aid to the victims of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. B.C.R. is a registered non-profit Charitable Organization, non-sectarian, non-political and governed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by volunteer men and women, committed to the B.C.R. mission of helping people survive through this tragedy.

Bosnian Handicraft - Through craft production, product design and development, marketing and educational activities, Bosnian Handicrafts aims to provide both emotional support and a source of fair income for women of Bosnia and Herzegovina helping them to reconnect with their rich needlecraft heritage and set aside their differences.

Center for Nonviolent Action - CNA does trainings in nonviolent conflict transformation aiming to support the development of local training structures in the countries of former Yugoslavia. Our second goal is the networking of groups and individuals in the Balkan region.
CNA organises and implements trainings gathering participants from different regions and of different ethnic origin. Main target groups are activists from NGO sector, journalists, teachers etc, aiming to achieve a multiplying effect.
CNA cooperates with various organisations and individuals in BiH, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia.
Center for nonviolent action (Centar za nenasilnu akciju) - CNA has offices in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia.

Friends of Bosnia - Friends of Bosnia provides reconstruction and humanitarian aid to the Balkans and educates the American public about the wars, reconstruction, reconciliation, and peace.

Genesis Project of Bosnia - Genesis Project is local, non - governmental organization headquartered in Republika Srpska, Bosnia. Their main goals of existence are to help to traumatized children, to educate children and adults in human rights, to work on development of civil society, democratization, legal assistance, etc.
As a part of Genesis Project exists Children Puppet Theater, which main goal of existence is to educate children in issues like children rights are, mine awareness, peaceful conflict prevention, health prevention, nice behavior, etc.
Many efforts done by Genesis Project are devoted to development of civil society and to the democratization of the society in Republika Srpska, as part of Bosnia.
They also work much on psychological assistance to the children traumatized by war and we are helping them to go through healing process and grow up into healthy adults.

Helsinki Committee For Human Rights In Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina was founded on 11 February, 1995. The Committee was established following the principles laid down in the Statute of the International Helsinki Federation. It is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization. The aim of the Committee is the protection and promotion of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mozaik - Community Development Foundation - Mozaik is Bosnia’s only local community development foundation. Our organization aims to build harmonious communities where citizens irrespective of their differences, share common values and goals, have a sense of mutual commitment and belonging to the community and participate in activities for the common good.

Sumejja (Citizen's Association of Bosnian Women) - Sumejja promotes the development of civil society, human rights, protection of women and families and affirmation of women in civil society.

UNICEF - UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - UNHCR is responsible for protecting over 17 million people worldwide, including refugees, internally displaced people and former refugees who are returning to their homes. As the largest international humanitarian organization, UNHCR and its 400+ partners provide food, water, shelter, medical and other types of assistance to refugees worldwide. UNHCR operates in 116 countries. When governments are unable or unwilling to protect their own citizens, UNHCR helps refugees find safety and the means to begin a normal life again.

United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) - WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Women for Women in Bosnia - Women for Women in Bosnia is a non-profit, non-governmental interfaith organization that provides donations to Bosnian and Croatian women refugees.

Concordia International Volunteer Projects - Description: Concordia is a small not-for-profit charity committed to community development and cultural exchange through international volunteering. Our International Volunteer Program offers young people the opportunity to join an international team of volunteers working on community based projects in over 40 countries worldwide. The projects differ enormously ranging from nature conservation, restoration, archaeology and construction to projects that are more socially based including work with adults and children with special needs, teaching or organizing youth/children's holiday schemes.

Firefly - Description: Firefly is a small, independent youth charity, working in Bosnia since 1997, aiming to build links between the divided ehtnic commuities through arts and informal educational projects. Volunteers travel to Brko, Bosnia to co-ordinate arts, sports or informal educational projects with children and/or young people. Former projects include a month of African drumming workshops leading to a performance, music workshops, mask-making, animation, langauge lessons, photography workshops, & mural painting. Often projects lead up to a performance or exhibition during one of our festivals. Volunteers can either continue or assist with an on-going project, assist with events such as festivals and summer camps, or they can set up a new project of their own; in all cases, it is important that they make sure that there is some continuity to their work by passing on relevant skills to local staff whener possible.

Volunteers for Peace: Bosnia - Description: VFP offers over 3000 affordable short-term voluntary service projects in 100+ countries, including 1 in Bosnia. These International Workcamps are an opportunity to complete meaningful community service while living and interacting in an intercultural environment. Work project include: construction/renovation of low-income housing or community buildings, historic preservation, archeology; environmental projects such as trail building, environmental education, wildlife surveying, park maintenance, organic farming; social services working with children, the elderly, physically or mentally handicapped, refugees, minority groups, drug/alcohol recovery, AIDS education; arts projects or festivals. Most camps are limited to ages 18 and up, with over 250 programs for ages 15-17. 90% of our workcamps are scheduled for 2-3 weeks each May-Sept. More than 300 programs are offered year-round. We also offer over 150 programs from 3 months to 1 year each. A $250 registration fee per camp covers the program including room and board. Transportation is arranged and paid for by the volunteer. VFP offers a free newsletter which provides a clear picture of what the program is about including over 25 photos of workcamp volunteers in action.