Help is a German non-governmental organization, established in 1981 in Bonn. Over the last 30 years Help has grown into a truly global organisation, with offices and projects in numerous countries around the world. Help’s mission has always been to provide emergency aid and development assistance to the communities stricken with catastrophes, war or poverty, through a system which will encourage participation and engage the people to help themselves, therefore fostering self- reliance and long-term sustainability.
Help in Bosnia
Help first set foot in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, while the hostilities were still ongoing. Thus the first projects were focused on the distribution of food and basic supplies as well as medical/nursing care for elderly, children and disabled. From 1996 on, Help focused on the landmines clearance, capacity development and reconstruction of housing and infrastructure as these were identified as top priorities. Over the last 25 years we have reconstructed more than 4500 individual returnee houses, numerous tenements, schools and other facilities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Help has been instrumental in establishing the demining and EOD capacity of the BiH Civil Protection and has carried out a number of independent demining projects and mine awareness campaigns.
Help today
The situation in BiH has been significantly improved over the last decade but there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed, especially in terms of socio-economic development, reconstruction and integration of returnees. Help will continue to work in BiH and cooperate with both local and international partners in order to deliver effective, meaningful assistance that will contribute to the overall development of BiH and the wellbeing of its people.
Help in the Balkans
Help BiH works in close cooperation with Help’s offices in Serbia (http://www.help-serbia.org.rs), North Macedonia, Kosovo (https://help-kosovo.org) Albania ( http://help-albania.org/) and in Montenegro (http://www.help-ev.co.me). Through this regional network, we share expertise and methodology and seek for synergies in order to design and manage Help’s projects in the Balkans in the most efficient way possible.
To visit Help headquarters’ website: http://www.help-ev.de