We have developed an intimate relationship with our friends here that is deeper than the three years we have worked with them would suggest. The depth of relationship may be a result of the kind of topics we deal with. Example one We had dinner with Osman and his new bride and talked of many things-much of which shows how complicated things can get. The identification of bodies is a problem. They have 1500 unidentified bodies in storage in Tuzla and have asked relatives for help in terms of dental records, clothes they were wearing and other information which would help.
Denial is rampant.
On the other hand if they don't know the person is really dead the state will not pay for widow or orphan benefits and women can't remarry. Also, children who don't know if their parents are dead have more stress symptoms than children who do know. It is costly to identify bodies. At first the government said no. Now they feel families will not function right until their dead are laid to rest.