On World Refugee Day, approximately 300 refugees living in Kosovo, primarily from Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Afghanistan, shared their painful and challenging experiences. They spoke of their journey, the struggles they face, and their enduring hope for peace and security.
Balqees Isan, who arrived in Kosovo from Jordan with her two daughters due to wars in the Middle East, recounted her difficult journey and challenging stay. “I came from Jordan. I have two children and I came to Kosovo to seek peace and security. When I first arrived, I was scared, because I came to an unknown place and I was alone with the responsibility of my two daughters,” she shared about her experience in Kosovo.
Matteo, another refugee from the Middle East, expressed a similar sentiment. “When I first came to Kosovo, I felt like I was standing behind a mosque window. I saw life outside, people walking, laughing, existing, but I wasn’t part of that life. The hardest part wasn’t being in a new place, but that feeling of not existing. I was like a shadow looking through the glass.”
Calls for Solidarity and Action
Their stories were shared during an event on Friday, organized by the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT) in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Representatives from these organizations emphasized that the day should be a reflection on the suffering, but also on the dignity of those forced to leave everything behind.
Feride Rushiti, executive director of KRCT, stated, “They left their homes, their homelands, their relatives to seek a more dignified and secure life in Kosovo. This day is not just a reminder of the pains experienced by refugees and forcibly displaced persons; this day is a call for solidarity and action.”
Arjun Shrestha, Head of the UNHCR Mission in Kosovo, highlighted global challenges impacting refugees, including financial crises and operational restructuring. “With increasing global needs and a deepening funding crisis, UNHCR’s operations, including here in Kosovo, are undergoing a restructuring process. Nevertheless, our commitment remains unwavering to support, protect, and stand in solidarity with those who are displaced,” he said.
Progress and Remaining Challenges in the Western Balkans
Arnhild Spence, UN Development Coordinator, also addressed the challenges while noting the progress made in Kosovo regarding refugee issues. “Since 2000, over 29,000 displaced persons from non-majority communities have found durable solutions in Kosovo. This is truly a great achievement, but the issue of displacement in the Western Balkans and for Kosovo has not yet ended,” she stated.
According to UNHCR data, approximately 300 refugees currently reside in Kosovo.
