Resilience and Rebuilding - Burhan's Journey to Revive His Business

Burhan, a Bosniak man in his early forties, operates a small business selling car spare parts in Mitrovica's multiethnic Bosniak Mahala. He and his wife have two cherished children, with the eldest studying ICT at the University of Istanbul, Turkey. 

On a cold January day, the Ibër/Ibar river swelled beyond its banks due to heavy rainfalls, the most extreme in the last fifty years. The resulting floodwaters ravaged Burhan's recently renovated house and, regrettably, his business supplies stored in the front yard warehouse. 

"It's hard to accept that a €12,000 investment to improve your family's living conditions can vanish in an instant, along with €3,000 worth of spare parts," Burhan reflects on the day the flood struck his neighborhood. He hoped to recover his losses while seeking emergency aid to overcome the crisis. 

Initially, Burhan sought support from local organizations, but resources were limited due to the considerable number of flood victims. However, he didn't lose hope and was one among over 790 households in ten affected municipalities to benefit from IOM's assistance under the EU-funded Community Stabilization Programme, as part of the United Nations Flood Response initiative. 

Another aspect of this initiative is that it plays an important role in boosting trust-building. In collaboration with civil society, 63 volunteers have been engaged to identify the most vulnerable and deliver cash-based support in the form of food and non-food vouchers. 

Undeterred by the obstacles he faced, Burhan remained steadfast in his resolve to rebuild his business. Drawing on his expertise, he is working tirelessly to secure new orders and get his enterprise back on track. 

Through this challenging experience, Burhan and his family discovered the power of resilience and the significance of community support, witnessing the willingness of neighbors to come together to help each other in salvaging whatever could be salvaged. The story of Burhan underscores the importance of development initiatives that prioritize sustainable community resilience, contributing to the growth and stability of communities, particularly in times of crisis.