Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNHCR in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) operates under the coordination of the Representation for Central and South-East Europe (RCSEE). The RCSEE is based in Budapest and supports operations in the region through a range of field presences and operational modalities.

UNHCR has been present in BiH since 1992, when it led a large-scale humanitarian operation during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Over time, its role has evolved from emergency response to long-term support in the areas of asylum, inclusion and statelessness, with a growing emphasis on advocacy.

UNHCR works in close partnership with government institutions, civil society, international organizations and the private sector to identify durable solutions and create lasting impact for forcibly displaced and stateless people. Key focus areas include:

• access to territory
• early identification of people with potential international protection needs
• efficiency of the asylum procedure
• access to rights
• support of the most vulnerable and facilitated local integration.

UNHCR also collaborates with BiH authorities to resolve all known cases of stateless people and people at risk of statelessness, while working to prevent new cases from arising. BiH is a signatory to both the 1954 and 1961 UN Conventions on Statelessness.