On the occasion of the 108th anniversary of its founding, Merhamet distributed food and clothing in 'Lipa'

(Patria) - President of HO “Merhamet” MDD Kenan Vrbanjac and directors of “Merhamet’s” regional boards in BiH visited migrants in the “Lipa” camp near Bihać today and distributed food and clothing to them. The action was organized on the occasion of “Merhamet’s” 108th anniversary. Migrants received breakfast, fruit, underwear, undershirts, and socks.

According to the president of HO “Merhamet” MDD Kenan Vrbanjac, “Merhamet”, in coordination with the “Red Cross” of the Una-Sana Canton, regularly assists migrants in the “Lipa” camp.

- With today’s action and visit to the “Lipa” camp, we wanted to mark the 108th anniversary of the founding of the Muslim Charity Society “Merhamet” with work. All of “Merhamet’s” regional and basic boards throughout BiH are marking this significant anniversary of ours with appropriate actions during February - said Vrbanjac.

The president of “Merhamet” emphasized that this humanitarian organization, after the latest escalation of the migrant crisis in BiH, i.e., in Bihać, has so far provided aid to migrants in the “Lipa” camp worth more than 100,000 KM.

“Merhamet” distributed aid to migrants during the mentioned period, which consisted of meals, bottled water, juices, tea, dates, then blankets, underwear, undershirts, socks, raincoats, survival blankets, and hygiene products. Vrbanjac pointed out that “Merhamet” has been involved in helping this population since the beginning of the migrant crisis in BiH.

- By preparing meals, distributing clothes, shoes, blankets, and hygiene products, “Merhamet” has helped migrants in the Una-Sana Canton, in Tuzla, Sarajevo, and Mostar. Before that, when the migrant wave had not yet affected our country, we helped migrants in Serbia, and even in Croatia. Likewise, “Merhamet” has helped migrants and Syrian refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border for six consecutive years, to whom it has delivered about 700,000 kilograms of qurban meat so far. The value of that aid amounted to more than 7 million KM - said Vrbanjac.

He added that “Merhamet”, according to its capabilities, will continue to help migrants,

- Our obligation and our mission is to care for people in need. “Merhamet”, as the largest humanitarian organization in BiH, which has the strongest infrastructure, cannot stand aside and ignore the problem with the migrant crisis in our country. We cannot let these people starve and freeze. Therefore, “Merhamet” will help them according to its capabilities. I will repeat, for the umpteenth time, that we have not received any help from the state and IOM so far, although we have contacted this international organization. We have provided all the aid to migrants so far from our personal resources, but also thanks to our partners and donors - said Vrbanjac.

He reminded that “Merhamet” feeds 8,000 socially vulnerable citizens daily in its 30 kitchens and their points, and that caring for migrants is an additional expense for this humanitarian organization. However, as he concluded, “Merhamet” will not give up on providing help to those in need who have currently found refuge in our country.