Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport have inaugurated the newly constructed EU-funded elementary school “Drazevac” in the village Poljane, Obrenovac Municipality. The Union has allocated EUR9.5 million for flood relief in Obrenovac.
The new school building is attended by 25 students, preschool to fourth grade, who have thus far attended classes in the premises of local community centre. Through its Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme, the EU has allocated EUR130,000 for the construction and furnishing of new school of 225 square metres of floor space, after the facility had been severely damaged during May 2014 floods.
“New school is equipped with the most modern teaching aids, so children can now enjoy the time spent at the school. We have managed to reconstruct nine schools in Obenovac and provide children with good learning conditions. European Union has provided major support to Serbia’s flood relief efforts – the support we should appreciate and be grateful for,“ said Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.
EU Ambassador Davenport said the reconstruction of Obrenovac has come to be a unique symbol of reconstruction of all flood-affected areas.
“Obrenovac suffered major damage in May 2014 floods and came to be the symbol of plight. But I am happy to see that thanks to EU support, it became the symbol of successful reconstruction. Students in Poljane now have a new school where they will attend classes starting from the next semester. European Union will continue to support Obrenovac through flood prevention projects in order to impede similar disasters in future,“ said EU Ambassador to Serbia Michael Davenport.
Photo: UNOPS
“We can take pride in what we have done,” said Davenport and added the improvements to the flood prevention system were the next task on the agenda.
Inauguration was attended by Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and Obrenovac Municipality President Miroslav Cuckovic.
Minister of Youth and Sport Vanja Udovicic, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and President of Obrenovac Municipality Miroslav Cuckovic also toured Obrenovac High School and Secondary School of Agriculture and Cehmistry whose reconstruction had been funded by the EU with EUR287,000.
EU assistance for flood relief in Obrenovac includes reconstruction of elementary and high schools, construction and reconstruction of private homes, support to enterprises and farmers, riverbank regulation and rehabilitation of embankments.
