Conclusion of the CARDS 2003 Return Projects implemented by ASB and Celebration of 15 years of ASB in the Balkans

On 23 April 2007, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, ASB, celebrated the end of the CARDS 2003 Integrated Return Projects in BiH funded by the European Union. It also celebrated fifteen years of humanitarian work in South-east Europe, having implemented projects worth some 150 million Euro.

Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson, Head of Section of Economic Development and Natural Resources in the European Commission Delegation to BiH, stated that there is consensus that the return process has been a success. Returning was never easy though, and the EU has provided comprehensive and concrete help through NGOs such as ASB. Assistance has included housing reconstruction, rehabilitation of water and electricity supply systems, as well as job creation initiatives and support to small and medium enterprises in the communities. With ASB, since 2002 the EU has assisted 5,000 people in twenty municipalities through the rehabilitation of over 1,000 houses.

His Excellency Michael Schmunk, Ambassador of Germany, expressed his admiration for the NGO’s staff, people who care about other people. He added that ASB has shown a good example of how to go about helping people in need.

Mr. Heribert Rohrig, Deputy-General Manager of ASB, spoke about the organisation, which was founded in 1888 by six carpenters in Berlin to provide first aid training. The movement quickly grew and today ASB has 258 branches in Germany with 18,000 staff as well as volunteers. The first international intervention was in 1920, to support victims of cholera in Russia; today ASB provides assistance in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, with projects worth an average of 15 million Euro a year.

Municipal and Cantonal authorities from Una-Sana Canton and Sarajevo Canton spoke about the importance and impact the CARDS 2003 projects have had in their municipalities and expressed their thanks to ASB and its donors.

Mr. Elmir Bojadzic, Regional Director of ASB, thanked all the speakers for the support and good cooperation established over the years, and especially the Refugees and Displaced Persons’ Association, which has been a key partner.

Europa.ba