prijava
SARAJEVO, June 20 (FENA) - A cooking class in which refugees prepared traditional dishes from their countries was held today in Sarajevo on the occasion of the World Refugee Day.
The aim of the event, organized by the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in cooperation with the partner organization BHWI, is to present the richness of diversity brought by new citizens who found refuge from persecution in the hospitality of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UNHCR Representative in BiH Lucie Gagné stressed that World Refugee Day should commemorate the suffering and strength of millions of refugees and displaced persons around the world.
“We recently marked a gloomy turning point, that is the number of people who are forced to flee from the conflict of war or persecution, and that number crossed 100 million, for the first time in history. It is very sad that this is still happening today,” she pointed out.
She reminded that in 2022, the war in Ukraine displaced more than seven million people inside the country, and more than five million people had to leave Ukraine.
"Besides that, we have other wars in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia," she added.
She emphasizes that it is necessary to show solidarity wherever people come from and for whatever reason, and that everyone has the right to security and protection.
"People from this country experienced the consequences of the conflict during the 1990s, and I want to thank you for opening your heart," she said.
BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Miloš Lučić claims that awareness of refugees and their status should be raised.
He emphasized that within the Ministry, there is a Refugee-Reception Center in Salakovac, where more than 1,650 refugees and migrants have stayed since 2018. He claims that they are provided with all living conditions and health care.
“We are ready to welcome all refugees together with the UNHCR, CRS and the Red Cross and we are implementing projects together, but we must ensure their inclusion, because we must not forget that we also had war events,” said Minister Lučić.
This year, World Refugee Day, which focuses globally on the right to seek asylum, recognizes the courage, strength and contribution of millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, war or persecution.
(FENA) A. B.
