Bosnia and Herzegovina

From Farm to Family: Your Qurbani in Bosnia

Qurbani season is here and that means for many people across Bosnia, it will be one of the few times they enjoy the Eid celebration having meat with their families. Your Qurbani comes at a time where many want to make the best of the blessed season but rarely have the means to do so. You be a light of hope. It was hope that brought Islamic Relief to the people of Bosnia almost 25 years ago. Your Qurbani can play a part in that hope again.

Bosnia-Herzegovina suffered immense material losses—both human and material—after the 1992-1995 war. Vast improvements have been made since then: Between 1998 and 2008, poverty fell from 20% to about 14%.

Then the global financial crisis hit, followed by a double-dip recession in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Food prices rose. More than one-quarter of the workforce is now unemployed, and that number rises to well over one-half for young people — one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates.

Still, improvement continues in other areas. Between 1980 and 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s life expectancy at birth increased by 6 years, and expected years of schooling increased by 2 years.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina was the first country Islamic Relief USA responded to, providing vital emergency assistance in the form of food, water, and clothing to survivors of the war. In the war’s aftermath, Islamic Relief also rebuilt homes, schools, and places of worship destroyed during the war. In recent years, IRUSA has offered support to flood survivors, orphans, and the elderly.

Here’s just a sampling of recent efforts for families in need across Bosnia

• Supporting orphans in need and their families
• Delivering urgent food aid to those living in hunger
• Implementing vocational programming to help build sustainable livelihoods

Honor Their Memory

This genocide is one of the most brutal and horrifying events of our lifetime. Yet, it is widely erased from our collective memory.

It is our duty to bring Srebrenica to mind. To speak up and mark its anniversary is an act of resistance against all those who continue to perpetrate, justify or cover up the atrocities of discrimination and racism.

Please join us in devoting this upcoming week from July 6 – July 11 to remembering Srebrenica.

> Share and retweet our stories and posts during this week,

> Sign up to be part of our Bike for Bosnia Challenge on Saturday July 11, 2020

> Tune in for a LIVE memorial on Saturday July 11 at 2:00pm EST as we honor those we tragically lost

> Donate to help rebuild lives

Together, we can help provide relief to the widows, orphans, and survivors of this war.