Statement by JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina on World Refugee Day 2026

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses its solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, and all people who have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety, protection, and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

In a world increasingly marked by conflict, forced displacement, and uncertainty, we are reminded that behind every number and statistic lies a human story. Through our work in temporary reception centres in Sarajevo and Bihać, the Reception Centre for Unaccompanied Minors in Sarajevo, as well as through educational, psychosocial, and social cohesion activities implemented in local communities, we encounter people every day who strive to find safety, dignity, and a sense of belonging. Their stories remind us that migration is not an abstract issue but a profoundly human reality that requires solidarity, understanding, and support.

The migration context in Bosnia and Herzegovina today differs from that of previous years. Although the number of registered migrants and asylum seekers is lower than before, many people continue to travel through the country relying on irregular routes and smuggling networks, exposing them to additional risks and insecurity. Among those we serve, unaccompanied minors, families, and persons with specific needs remain particularly vulnerable. They, along with many others, continue to face challenges in accessing asylum procedures, education, psychosocial support, employment, and longer term integration opportunities.

At the same time, we witness numerous examples of solidarity demonstrated by local communities, institutions, volunteers, schools, faith communities, and citizens who have chosen compassion over indifference. Such encounters remind us that social cohesion is not built through fear and division, but through dialogue, understanding, and recognition of our shared humanity.

This year holds special significance for us as we mark 30 years of presence and service in the country. Over the past three decades, we have accompanied people affected by forced displacement in different circumstances and contexts, remaining faithful to the conviction that every person possesses an inherent dignity that must be respected and protected. Our experience has taught us that true accompaniment goes beyond meeting basic needs. It involves listening, walking alongside those facing uncertainty, advocating for their rights, and creating opportunities for participation, belonging, and hope.

World Refugee Day is therefore not only an opportunity to recognise the challenges faced by refugees and displaced persons, but also a moment to reflect on the kind of society we wish to build. It must be a society in which protection is accessible to all, where diversity is valued, and where every person has the opportunity to contribute to the community through their talents, knowledge, and experience.

As we mark this day, JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirms its commitment to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and migrants. We remain convinced that stronger communities are built through encounter rather than exclusion, through solidarity rather than fear, and through the recognition that our shared humanity is greater than the borders that divide us.

On this World Refugee Day, and in the year in which we commemorate 30 years of our work, we call on institutions, local communities, and individuals to continue building a Bosnia and Herzegovina where dignity, hospitality, and hope are accessible to all.