The Official Opening Ceremony was held today in Kladovo, announcing the opening of three larger-size prefabricated houses for the accommodation of 12 internally displaced and refugee families who have been living in the collective centre “Karatas“ for years.
The Project “European Union Support for Improving of the living Conditions of Forced Migrants” was funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and implemented by Danish Refugee Council with the support of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of the Republic of Serbia and Kladovo Municipality. This Project is part of a more comprehensive program funded by the European Union supporting improvement of living conditions of forced migrants – “For A Better Life”, with the total value of 14.2 million euro.
The event has been held in the presence of:
- Mr Radovan Arezina, President of Kladovo Municipality
- Ms Marzia Palotta, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
- Mr Ivan Gerginov, Assistant to the Commissioner of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of the Republic of Serbia
- Ms Marina Cremonese, Representative of Danish Refugee Council Serbia
- Mr Zivorad Popovic, Housing Solutions Coordinator on behalf of the Programme Monitoring Unit for Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia funded projects
In the following few months, one more prefabricated object comprising 4 housing units will be built for four more socially vulnerable domicile families, so that this residential block of prefabricated housing units will become a home for the total of 12 families of refugees and internally displaced who have been living in the collective centre ‘Karatas’ for years and 4 most vulnerable domicile families.
The approximate value of a prefabricated housing block with basic furnishing will be approximately EUR180.000, funded by Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia. Kladovo Municipality is the owner of housing units with all the rights and responsibilities emanating thereof, while the residents of prefabricated housing units have the right of use without gaining property. Kladovo Municipality has participated in the Project by donating the construction plot equipped with all necessary infrastructure and urban planning and technical documentation.
Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia offered all necessary support for the implementation of these activities with the aim of providing housing solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons who have been living in dire conditions of the collective center for years. Danish Refugee Council assisted the families in constructing housing units, obtaining personal documents necessary for participation in the project (with Humanitarian Centre for Integration and Tolerance), as well as preparing them for independent living conditions in this type of housing solution.
The EU funded Project “For a Better Life” is coherent with the government policies on refugees, IDPs and returnees and fully reflects their core principle – support integration of forced migrants who chose to stay in Serbia and support the sustainable return of those wishing to return to Kosovo.
