The compound effects of conflict and disaster displacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Over a few days in May 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced the heaviest rainfall reported in 120 years. The floods affected more than 1.5 million people and displaced around 90,000 people. Many of those displaced by the floods were IDP returnees, formerly displaced persons who had integrated locally, and IDPs still living in protracted displacement following the conflict, and already vulnerable groups such as victims of wartime sexual violence and landmine victims. Once again they were forced to flee their homes, having to find refuge with family or friends or in temporary accommodation facilities. Some progress has been made in that municipalities are now able to allocate public land free of charge to persons who lost their homes in the landslides. Roma who meet the eligibility requirements can request such assistance but are still required to provide some proof of ownership, which many do not have. Innovative approaches to circumvent all of these challenges are needed. Adapted from the source document.