Bosnia-Herzegovina

War-Torn Land

In the early 1990s, Bosnia-Herzegovina emerged from years of bloody interethnic war facing a huge challenge. An estimated 250,000 people were killed, the country's infrastructure was in ruins and people were in desperate need for support.

Over one million people were internally displaced and almost 1.5 million people fled the country.

Islamic Relief provided much-need aid to displaced victims, and assisted in the reconstruction effort.

After the dust settled, Islamic Relief also provided psychosocial counseling to families and children so they could cope with the trauma of conflict.

Devastation & Recovery

Bosnia-Herzegovina is amongst the poorest countries in Europe and its economy has been steadily deteriorating for over a decade. Enduring endemic unemployment, Bosnians had few means to support themselves.

Also, an acute housing shortage threatened the existence of countless families. Thousands of refugees and internally displaced people returned to find their homes either destroyed or occupied.

Over the years, Islamic Relief has helped hundreds of families rebuild their homes, particularly female-headed, single-parent households.

To help returnees rebuild their livelihoods, Islamic Relief also established a micro-credit program, providing over 700 loans to encourage entrepreneurship.

You can help promote the spirit of self-reliance by donating now to support Islamic Relief’s efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Islamic Relief in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Heeding the call of the suffering masses, Islamic Relief was one of the first nongovernmental organizations to begin delivering humanitarian aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Food, water, clothes and wood were distributed through Islamic Relief offices and warehouses. After the initial emergency and relief stage, Islamic Relief began rebuilding homes, schools and places of worship that were destroyed during the war.

After more than a decade of working in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Islamic Relief’s offices in Sarajevo, Tuzla and Zenica continue to provide crucial services to thousands of underprivileged people.

Current projects include livelihood restoration, micro-financing and orphans support.