UNHCR marked World Refugee Day with holding two friendly matches of children from the City of Bihać and children from the Temporary Reception Center Borići, as part of the international children’s soccer tournament organized by local clubs this weekend at the NK Jedinstvo stadium in Bihać.
“For children who were forced to leave their homes with their families or alone due to war, persecution or human rights violations, playing sports with their peers can help them gain self-confidence, create new friendships and feel safe and welcome in our country,” said Vahidin Ogrešević, Head of the UNHCR field office in Bihać.
Every year on World Refugee Day, which is marked on June 20, UNHCR organizes a series of events in several cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as around the world, in order to draw the public’s attention to the problems that refugees face, but also to express gratitude to local communities for the hospitality they provide to people who have been forced to leave their homes due to violence, war, persecution or human rights violations.
On this occasion, UNHCR prepared gifts for all participants of the tournament, and in addition, a donation of sports equipment for the local football club was announced.
The theme of this year’s World Refugee Day “Hope far from home” draws attention to the importance of understanding, hospitality and support that local communities provide to people who have been forced to leave their homes. With the support of all of us, they are building hope for a better future far from their hearths, UNHCR announced.
