World Refugee Day Marked in Sarajevo

As part of the marking of World Refugee Day, refugees and asylum seekers in Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared and presented traditional dishes from their countries of origin at the cooking class today in Sarajevo. The cooking was attended by representatives of international organizations, media, partners and friends, as well as refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“By being here today, you are showing that you stand for refugees and that you are committed to solving the problems and the very causes of displacement: violence and persecution. We all share the responsibility to protect people who seek security whoever they are, wherever they come from and to lend a hand whenever they are forced to flee,” said Lucie Gagné, UNHCR Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH and the Office of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the partner organization BHWI in order to present the values of diversity brought to us by our new citizens.

For the first time this year, the celebration of World Refugee Day was supported by a local company, Bingo, which provided ingredients and supplies for cooking.

“Unfortunately, people all over the world are fleeing their homes due to war and other reasons, and we must be ready to welcome them, to provide them with basic living conditions and integrate them into society,” said Milos Lucic, Minister of Human Rights and Refugees.

All guests had the opportunity to try spicy basmati rice with veal, a dish known as Afghani Pulao prepared by a married couple from Pakistan, and dishes from Cuba prepared by an asylum seeker in BiH: dessert Dulce de Coco and congri rice with beans. The cookies were prepared by refugees from Ukraine and Iran. This is one in a series of events through which UNHCR in BiH and its partners are marking World Refugee Day this year.

“I’ve been here for 22 years. I’m not thinking of leaving BiH. If I had wanted to, I would have done it a long time ago. Something is pulling me to stay here. It doesn’t matter where you are, but how you feel, and I feel at home here,” said Mark, a refugee from Cameroon.

On World Refugee Day, which this year has a global focus on the refugees’ rights to seek asylum, we pay tribute to 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. This is also the day when we ask all of us to remember the importance of accepting new neighbours into our communities. Those who were forced to flee bring with them their culture, their unique experiences and their hopes – all of which make each community stronger and richer.