A new centre has been inaugurated in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian city of Bihać for the protection of unaccompanied minor migrants and people in highly vulnerable conditions. Dedicated to the memory of Adriano Poletti, former mayor of Agrate Brianza and for many years leader of Acli, who recently passed away, the centre was built by the Italian NGO Ipsia-Acli in the framework of the Brat project (Balkan Route - Assistance in Transit), financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Once fully operational, the centre will be able to accommodate up to 30 guests: not only migrants from the nearby Lipa and Borići camps, but also people from the local community from vulnerable backgrounds, in keeping with the focus on host communities that characterises the project.
The Italian Embassy in Bosnia Herzegovina was present with First Secretary Riccardo Righelli, who praised the broad involvement of actors from the international community, local institutions and civil society that made the construction of the facility possible. In fact, in addition to AICS and IPSIA-ACLI, the initiative also involved the Ministry of Security of Bosnia Herzegovina (Mustafa Pašalić, Head of the Reception and Asylum Programmes Department, was present for the occasion) and the City of Bihać, represented by Mayor Elmedin Sedić and the Director of the Centre for Social Services, Senad Tutić.
For IPSIA-ACLI, President Marco Calvetto and IPSIA BiH Director Silvia Maraone were present. "This new facility," said Dr. Maraone, "represents a significant step forward in protecting and supporting the most vulnerable young people in our community. It will be dedicated to the memory of our dear friend Adriano Poletti, who together with friends and colleagues started the IPSIA adventure in Bosnia and Herzegovina".
Bihać is located a short distance from the Croatian border. The canton of Una-Sana, where the city is located, represents one of the most sensitive points on the Balkan route and is one of the places from which migrants in Bosnia Herzegovina attempt to cross the border into the EU. Within the framework of the BRAT project, it was possible to set up not only the complex in question, but also additional facilities within or outside the refugee camps in Borići (for families and minors) and Lipa (adult men), with the aim of providing material, psychological and social assistance.
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