Since the beginning of the war, 51,000 Ukrainian refugees have passed through Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 153 of them currently reside in the country.

“13 million people were forced to leave their homes. Eight million fled Ukraine and sought refuge in other countries, the rest were displaced across Ukraine,” Associate Protection Officer, Ljiljana Kokotovic, told N1.

She said that, according to data from the Border Police and the Service for Foreigner’s Affairs, most of the refugees are in Medjugorje, where they arrived at the beginning of March last year. Some also reside in Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Bijeljina.

“Last year, the BiH Council of Ministers passed a decision on temporary residence, but not the rights they need because they are staying here legally but temporarily. I hope that we will follow the example of EU countries to grant refugees temporary protection that offers a whole range of rights. These are the right to social protection, education and the right to participate in the labour market,” Kokotovic said.

The migration coordinator of the Red Cross Society of BiH, Haris Magrdzija, said the organisation provided humanitarian support to these refugees in accordance with the international agreements of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

“We provide certain humanitarian support. We have our own structure in BiH and since the arrival of Ukrainian refugees and in coordination with UNHCR and other partners, we have provided a response that is still present today on the ground. We also have the support of the residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that is important to emphasize. Our citizens mobilize when there are crises and what is inevitable is communication with state authorities”, he said.