Turkey helps improve conditions of refugees in Bosnia

By Kemal Zorlak

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The Turkish Red Crescent has helped improved the living conditions of refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Red Cross official said.

"The refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina have gained better living conditions with the help of the Turkish Red Crescent. This is the greatest assistance made by a national organization," said Bosnia's Red Cross Organization Secretary General Branko Leka.

Leka's remarks came in a meeting with Turkey's Ambassador to Sarajevo Haldun Koc and the Turkish Red Crescent's Bosnia Coordinator Goksen Yenigul.

She added that there is a good cooperation between the two organizations.

"We would like to benefit from the experience of Turkey which opened its doors for millions of Syrian refugees," said Leka.

Koc, for his part, said all of Turkish institutions and organizations are providing assistance to refugees in Bosnia.

"Nine trucks of aid has reached Bosnia. This aid will provide shelters to a total of 3,400 refugees. This is not only a donation but also an experience sharing," said Koc.

Earlier this month, The Turkish Red Crescent has sent nine truckloads of aid to improve the living conditions of refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina with winter approaching.

The aid includes 22 group tents measuring 105 square meters, 229 shelter tents of various sizes, 10,000 blankets, 1,000 kitchen sets, and two mobile kitchens.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has found itself in the middle of a migrant crisis, with the government decrying a lack of funds.

After the Balkan route -- through Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary or Croatia -- was closed to refugees in March 2016, many migrants chose Bosnia-Herzegovina as an alternate route.

According to the latest figures, nearly 20,000 asylum seekers have entered Bosnia and Herzegovina since the beginning of the year.