Fifteen families from the Konjic municipality, who lost their roofs over their heads in the October floods, signed contracts on Statehood Day – November 25th last year – with the organization Pomozi.ba, which secured 100.000 BAM for their housing.
In addition to them, other donors were invited to join so that, with combined funds, families could be enabled to purchase houses, apartments, or land for construction. The Riyasat of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the humanitarian organization Merhamet also took part in all activities, with the technical support of the City of Konjic.
Yesterday, the activities for the permanent resolution of the housing issue for Konjic residents entered a concrete and visible phase –preparatory works began and construction sites were opened. Some residents of Buturovic Polje have already moved into their new homes.
“I am overwhelmed with emotion, I can‘t even speak. But thanks to everyone who helped, especially our mayor and Elvir. Everything managed to be completed,“ said Becir Hakalovic, one of the aid beneficiaries.
His fellow resident, Munira Arnaut, is soon moving into a new home.
“I am indescribably happy to have my own home while I am alive. May this never happen to anyone again,” she said, recalling the dramatic moments when the water reached her very doorstep.
The organization Pomozi.ba has so far donated about 10 million BAM for areas affected by floods, and the president of the association, Elvir Karalic, announced the imminent completion of works in Donja Jablanica, which, as he said, will conclude the aid activities related to last year’s floods.
According to data from the City of Konjic, housing has already been provided for 116 families. The citizens, according to the City Administration, expressed the wish to remain in their Neretvica valley, on their own land, which additionally motivated the local government and donors.
“This part of the aid is slowly being rounded off. In addition to houses, we are also working on infrastructure reconstruction – we are talking about an area of 300 square kilometers and we are constantly in the field,” said Mayor Osman Catic.
Public calls by the European Union (EU) are also ongoing for the selection of aid beneficiaries for the construction and rehabilitation of housing units destroyed or damaged in the 2024 floods, as well as a call by the Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, to which Konjic citizens have also applied, BHRT writes.
