Meet Danijela Rahmanović our Outreach Protection Officer

Danijela Rahmanović works as an Outreach Protection Officer in the area of Una-Sana Canton. Her work day starts with a team gathering, after which they visit outreach locations and border areas with a focus on the identification and observation of people on the move. Together with a cultural mediator and medical assistant, Danijela is helping those in need by protecting their rights and providing people on the move with transportation to the reception centers. Her daily tasks include reporting pushback cases, which help raise awareness about violence at international borders, and reporting different incident cases that people might experience. Together with the rest of the team, Danijela is dedicated to the identification of potential victims of any violence, including providing medical and psychosocial support for this vulnerable category of people.

„I have worked within a mixed migration context in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 3 years, of which 2 years within the DRC, in an organization that has a strong focus on the protection of the migrant population. It helped me a lot to grow professionally and to learn not only to identify but also to properly react to any form of human rights violation or abuse. I have become more aware of human rights and about human vulnerability, not only in the context of migration but also for the local population", said Danijela, adding that she follows DRC principles in her daily activities.

Danijela is always trying to be professional in any challenging situation. Not only does she complete her daily tasks on time, but she always has excellent and professional communication and coordination with colleagues from other agencies in order to provide help and protection for people on the move. Through the experience that she has gained, she can usually predict where she might find people on the move in the Una Sana region, and she always makes a good plan for her work days.

„Since I work in the field, I face different challenges, from inaccessible geographical areas to weather conditions that might make the work difficult. One example is the floods that occurred recently in Una-Sana Canton. In these situations, we, as a team, always care about the safety and security of our staff and the migrant population. I was focused on properly informing people on the move to be careful and to restrict their movement while the area is flooded. However, the biggest challenge is witnessing human suffering. As a humanitarian worker, every day I identify a family, a child, or a man who is pushed back and who is without basic human needs, including water, food, shelter, shoes, etc. These images might affect me, if not consciously, then subconsciously. However, as a DRC worker, my task and goal are to provide basic help immediately. The fact that I have helped someone gives me personal satisfaction and helps me to cope normally with these situations", concludes Danijela.

Danijela is a sociable person who enjoys spending time with family and close friends. She also enjoys traveling occasionally when she has enough time and enjoying the beauty of the Una River and the nature that surrounds Bihac. That makes her relax.