As part of the “BRAT – Balkan Route: Reception in Transit” initiative, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, a food delivery ceremony was held on May 21st to prepare hot meals for extremely vulnerable people. This initiative involved six local soup kitchens in Sarajevo and was coordinated by Caritas Italia in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Pomozi.ba Association.
The ceremony was attended by numerous guests, including His Excellency Marco di Ruzza, the Italian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Enda Pavić, the Minister of Labor, Social Policies, Displaced Persons, and Refugees of the Sarajevo Canton. Pavić expressed her gratitude and appreciation for this significant donation to support the work of the canton’s social services.
Ambassador Di Ruzza emphasized: “The BRAT project confirms once again how civil society, in synergy with development cooperation, represents a crucial component of the Italian presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This concrete and supportive approach to the needs of the local population explains, more than anything else, the feelings of friendship and affection felt towards Italy and Italians throughout the country.”
Anxhela Zeneli, coordinator of Caritas Italia in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated: “Improving the Bosnian public’s perception of the issue of migration and supporting local decision-making processes are key aspects of the BRAT project. With this food donation, we aim to reach at least 10,000 beneficiaries in the Sarajevo Canton.”
Elvir Karalić, Executive Director of the Pomozi.ba Association, expressed his deep gratitude for the support received: “This donation is not only material aid, but also a symbol of solidarity and care for those in the most difficult situations. I thank all our partners for their immense support.”
The event provided an important opportunity to reaffirm the importance of collective efforts in promoting an inclusive community that supports all its members, including migrants traveling the Balkan route. Through the BRAT project, we aim to ensure orderly, safe, and responsible migration in Bosnia and Herzegovina by strengthening ties with the local community and supporting the work of social services in the area.
The presence of the AICS Sarajevo Office and numerous media outlets at the event lent considerable resonance to the handover ceremony, highlighting the importance and urgency of initiatives aimed at supporting the most vulnerable communities along the Balkan route.