UMCOR Work Continues in Bosnia, Herzegovina

   The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is building 30 houses in 17 villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina this winter, providing shelter for up to 75 returning refugee families.

   The work is being done through a grant agreement with the Dutch government, according to Robert Harris, UMCOR's head of mission in Bosnia. The agency, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, has received 23 grants from the Dutch government during the past two years to assist families returning to the former Yugoslavia.

   Currently, the relief agency uses a Dutch grant to run a housing rehabilitation program in the Canton region, which involves making minor repairs to 100 houses and rebuilding up to 141 other houses. Last year, 114 houses were built through UMCOR's emergency shelter program.

   The new grant will allow the building of houses in the municipalities of Capljina, Stolac, Berkovic, Mostar South and Bileca. UMCOR also will provide electric generators with fuel, stoves and wood to returning families, and the United Nations High Commission on Refugees will provide food.

   UMCOR has been working in the former Yugoslavia since 1993. Through the reconstruction of homes and supporting infrastructure, the agency has helped more than 15,000 families of all ethnic groups to return home. It also has provided agricultural assistance, created new jobs and implemented projects to promote an open society and respect for human rights.

More Information:

• How to Help
  How to help through donations or as a volunteer.
• UMCOR in Bosnia
  Background and news about UMCOR's work. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has played a key role in rebuilding war-damaged houses and helping nurture Bosnia to soundness with a wide array of social, agricultural and infrastructure projects.
• UMCOR Rebuilds Houses in Bosnia: Personal Stories by Franklin Fisher, GBGM, October 30, 1998