During the past weekend, 6 amputees – mine survivors successfully completed two-stage Ultra trail #RavnopravnoRazličiti (Different, but Equal) Bjelasnica – Jahorina in the length of 52 kilometers.
The activity was initiated by the mine survivors themselves, who wanted to remind of the negative impact of landmines in BiH. Survivors who successfully completed the ultra trail are: Dejan Zvizdalo from Trnovo, Mirko Zecevic Tadic from Brcko, Nijaz Memic from Sarajevo, Dragan Janjic from Trebinje, Zeljko Volas from Banja Luka and Jovica Goreta from Pale.
Ultra trail #RavnopravnoRazličiti is a continuation of last year’s action to climb the peak of Maglić symbolically named “Mine survivors climbing challenge” to promote the rights, capacities and potentials of mine survivors and persons with disabilities, to reminds public and urge relevant institutions to fulfill remaining Mine Ban Treaty’s obligations regarding clearing of mined territories and providing support in rehabilitation and integration to mine victims. Ultra trail has taken place in the wider area of Sarajevo and was an opportunity to mark a recent significant success by achieving “Mine-free Sarajevo” as a model that could be replicated in other mine-affected local communities in establishing a safe environment without mines and explosive remnants of war in the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Participants were very happy with their achievements. Njaz Memic, one of the participants in the ultra trail, pointed out: “This ultra trail was a special challenge, both physically and mentally. Primarily for the reason this was extremely demanding and long route, exceeding 50 kilometers in total. I am extremely happy that I managed to complete this ultra trail and to have a chance, along with the rest of the team, to be a voice of other mine survivors who could not join us”.
Mirko Zecevic Tadic encouraged other mine survivors to join them in the following challenges: “I would like to see other landmine survivors in such initiatives so that they can do much more for their health and to participate in many segments of life.”
Ultra trail #RavnopravnoRazličiti is a segment of the campaign with the same name in the project “Communities of different, but equal citizens” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Organization of amputees UDAS in partnership with the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka and Association “Nešto Više”.