JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina Statement for World Refugee Day

“We believe that people on the move deserve more than temporary aid – they deserve the opportunity to build a life in safety and dignity.”

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we pause to recognize the journeys of thousands of people who pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina, each carrying a story shaped by loss, resilience, and the search for a life in safety and dignity. In a world where borders can divide but compassion can connect, we stand beside those who have been forced to flee, not by choice, but by necessity.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the last countries people on the move pass through before reaching their final destination. For many, it’s a place where they stop, wait, and hope. That’s why JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina is present every day, with a broad approach that goes beyond emergency aid.

As part of our mission to accompany, serve, and advocate, JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to stand for the protection of human rights, the pursuit of social justice, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We believe that people on the move deserve more than just temporary assistance, they deserve a real chance to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. That is why we advocate for integration instead of segregation, for dialogue instead of fear, and for systems that respond to people’s real needs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina provides access to education, employment, and legal work for people in need of international protection, but these opportunities often remain out of reach due to a lack of consistent support and long-term planning. Without sustained investment in integration services, these rights risk remaining only on paper. Ensuring their real accessibility is not just a policy issue, but a matter of social justice.

Through ongoing awareness-raising in local communities, we work to challenge harmful narratives and build bridges between people, reminding society that those who are displaced are not strangers, but potential neighbours, classmates, and colleagues. We call for long-term solutions that go beyond emergency response and place human dignity at the center of all action.

On this World Refugee Day, we reaffirm that care must go hand in hand with justice. Refugees are not statistics, but individuals with names, histories, and the right to belong. JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to walking with them, not only in moments of crisis, but throughout their journey toward belonging. We accompany not only physical journeys, but also the inner journeys of those who have lost so much, and yet continue to carry dreams, strength, and dignity.

We believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina can be more than a transit country; it can be a home where refugees are seen, heard, and included. Let us build a society where no one is left behind, because hospitality begins with action, and hope grows when we walk together.