An Overview of Zenica

The CHE-IP focuses upon the municipality of Zenica due to a joint assessment by Miracles and the local government identifying the current need and social-economic status of this area as being most acute. The bleak picture facing the citizens of Zenica is characterised by extensive and complex problems inherited from the past, caused by war actions in BiH, and by difficulties characteristic for countries in transition. The population of Zenica in 1991 was 145,517. Zenica suffered from a considerable displacement of population during the war and the population is now estimated at approximately 128, 000.

Housing

Legal framework for the return of refugees and displaced persons has been in force since early 2000. The process is however lengthy, slow and consuming of resources that results in many of the other areas of housing concern not being adequately addressed. The canton is optimistic of eventually resolving many of the housing and re-housing issues it faces through partnership with the UNHCR and others with the exception of families for whom no legal framework of appeal currently exists. In January 2007 Hasan Topalovic, Deputy Minister of Social Care for Ze-Do, cites this latter group as having no long term housing solution, of which many are Roma, and therefore in great need of help. For them, outside solutions for funding for appropriate housing is the only option. Therefore, in a system already over-stretched and under-resourced, this group currently remains invisible, without rights, without any real hope and without a place to call home.

Current Housing Situation for Roma in Ze-Do and Implications

It is an alarming situation that can be seen in the informal Roma settlements that have been established post-war where thousands of Roma, who face particularly serious difficulties, live in substandard housing conditions without basic sanitary facilities, electricity or reliable source of heating and with a lack of waste disposal services as well as insufficient access to fresh water. In many settlements, these conditions are such as to affect the overall health situation of their residents. In addition, Roma residing in such settlements that have not been legalised are also vulnerable to forced evictions without being provided alternative accommodation. These sub-standard living conditions and problems merit urgent attention and targeted measures by both domestic authorities, as well as support by international agencies.

The quest for daily water supplies within a Roma settlement

The majority of Roma within the Ze-DO canton live in dire poverty and conditions that fall well below accepted standards. Predominantl,y such housing consists of no sanitation, water or electricity and little resistance to the harsh winters except for cardboard boxes. Often several families live together within cramped and makeshift spaces in ghetto type circumstances where they are rejected by mainstream society and marginalized living on the edges of cities or river banks: their future is bleak.

Current Housing Situation for Vulnerable People in Ze-Do

Those who have no pre-war property, land or fixed abode are in dire straits. Registration of one's residence in a municipality is essential in order to access social and other services offered by that municipality. Material and social welfare problems and complications ensue if someone has no fixed abode and no proof can be given of temporary or permanent accommodation. It is a vicious cycle therefore for those trapped within.

The plight of the Roma is especially highlighted in this document as they form the majority of the vulnerable population identified however the project plan is not exclusively for them – there are others from all ethnic backgrounds that need assistance and they will be included. Across Ze-Do there are inadequate institutions for accommodating the elderly, mentally ill persons and those with physical or developmental disorders. Some of these institutions exist in other cantons but frequently cases referred from Ze-Do are rejected due to overcrowding or no guarantee of payment. Two state funded children's homes exist within the canton however no proper exit strategy is in place and at the age of 18 the state is under no obligation to continue provision of shelter – adding yet another dimension to the housing crisis facing the canton.

Education

Both the Bosnian (Muslim) and Bosnian Croat curricula are taught in many schools throughout the canton following the 'two schools under one roo'’ concept. Catholic schools exist in the city centre of Zenica. As the education system continues to be reformed nationally the overall standard of education improves too. The state law requires compulsory attendance by all in grade school (9 grades - ages 7/8 to 15) but this is seldom implemented in the case of Roma.

Roma children and Schooling

The overwhelming percentage of children not attending school at all are Roma children (UNHCR, 2005). Despite a willingness of many parents to enrol their children, extremely poor living conditions, lack of proper clothing and the inability to purchase required schoolbooks are seen to primarily prevent this from occurring in reality and are the most common reasons cited for the exclusion of Roma from schools.

Poor living conditions prevent Roma children attending school