Tuzla human rights activist and volunteer Nihad Suljić has been helping refugees and migrants passing through his city for the past two years. He is the winner of the “Dobro” award in the category of individual philanthropy, awarded by the Mozaik Foundation from Sarajevo.
By: Melani Isović; Photo: Private archive, given for use to eTrafika
At the beginning of the conversation for the eTrafika portal, Nihad remembers that everything started one day in May, when he saw the first group of refugees at the bus station.
“They were wet and cold. That scene, in fact, was the trigger for my further engagement. I think I will never forget their looks, loss and fear. My start is not much different from what I do today. Warm pastries, tea, a piece of clothing and a nice word, everything I can carry in my backpack”, explains Suljić.
Humanitarian work affects his daily life and often, indeed, it is difficult to go through all the hardships together with people on the move, but that does not diminish his engagement.
“Just imagine witnessing the most difficult human stories and destinies, you know that you are part of all those life opportunities from birth to death. It’s too hard to survive all that. Again, your life cannot be worse than theirs. The feeling of helplessness is definitely the worst feeling for me. And prejudice. It hurts a lot when you read all these comments, when society condemns them, and on the other hand you know these wonderful people who only come to have a better and safer life. I was definitely forced to seek psychological help,” Suljić told us.
Activist work with people on the move without any organization behind it is almost unthinkable, and Nihad achieves everything exclusively with the help of friends.
“It’s too hard to work without an organization behind you, you know you don’t have permanent resources. You always depend on charity of other people and no one protects you! And the good thing about working as a freelance activist is that you approach people as friends, in return you get wonderful ‘feedback’ that makes life more meaningful and richer,” Suljić points out.
With the help of good people and their individual solidarity with people on the move and refugees, Nihad helps people on the move on a daily basis.
“Most of the donations are contributions from my friends, family and strangers who trust me and want to show solidarity with these people. I must mention organizations such as ‘Land of Children Tuzla’ and ‘SOS Balkanroute’, where we try to help people with joint forces, and I can always count on their support”, adds Suljić.
From Tuzla, but also from the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nihad sent a large number of people on the move on a long journey, and received feedback from them that they carry our country in their hearts because good people live in it.
“I do not really count. Hundreds, thousands, I have no records. Someone else deals with the statistics. Most of them mention Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tuzla in a nice way. They say that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of good people and that they carry it in their hearts. They started their lives from scratch, with many more opportunities and chances for a better tomorrow,” said this volunteer.
Compared to the years behind us, today’s situation is better, but the main problems, such as the work of BiH institutions and conditions in the camps, have not changed.
“The situation is better in terms of the number of organizations on the ground, but what has not changed, and that is the key to all the problems, is the work of BiH institution and conditions in the camps run by the IOM, and on whose work we have constant complaints. The information that people on the move tell me is that the camps living conditions are not humane, that they are often without hot water, overcrowded and with violent security,” he explains.
Coexistence with people on the move tells beautiful stories, but also traumatic ones.
“Being a part of their lives is difficult and shocking. From being kicked out of the cafeteria because you are in the company of people on the move, to an inefficient system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I have been in shock for a long time! The needs of all people in this world are equal. A safe and dignified life. The life stories with these people that I live with them are sometimes beautiful, and sometimes traumatic and too difficult”, concludes Suljić.
The development of this text was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the PRO-Future project. The contents of this text do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the US Government.
