German non-governmental organisation ASB in cooperation with Housing Centre, has started the reconstruction process on 167 houses and construction of 32 homes damaged during the May floods in municipalities of Valjevo, Sabac, Sid, Loznica, Bajina Basta, Osecina, Ljubovija and Mali Zvornik. These municipalities are allocated with three million euros through EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme. Depending on weather conditions, the completion of this intervention is expected by the end of 2014.
Ljiljana Vasic (42) is a single mother of five from the village of Straza near Loznica. Milan (21), Marija (17), Gorica (15), Nenad (16) and Anastasija (5) live of social assistance and occasional seasonal jobs done by their mother Ljijana. The flood befallen them in the middle of the night, all alone in the dilapidated house.
“We were cut off from the world for days, we could not get out of the house because of the water. One of the neighbours was bringing us flour so I could bake bread and that is how we lived for seven days. I thought my children would be starving until we were evacuated. I was really scared, but I had to stay strong for my children,” says Ljiljana.
Ljiljana is one of the beneficiaries of the European Union’s Programme, who will obtain an entirely reconstructed home, new furniture, appliances, and a bathroom which she has not had until today. She is extremely grateful to donors, because, as she puts it, she is not used to getting anything as a gift, especially not a new house.
Homes of vulnerable families will be not only reconstructed, but also fully equipped with new furniture and appliances they lost to the flood. ABS is implementing the EU’s Assistance Programme in all municipalities, in partnership with Housing Centre, Initiative for Development and Cooperation and Foundation “Ana and Vlade Divac”.
Apart from reconstruction and construction of family homes in eight municipalities, ABS’s project will provide grants to agricultural households, small and micro enterprises in order to restart their businesses after the floods. In Valjevo, Sabac, Loznica, Osecina, Mali Zvornik, Bajina Bašta and Ljubovija, 172 entrepreneurs and agricultural producers will receive grants worth 2500 euros on the average, whereas 34 beneficiaries will receive construction material packages.
“Allocation of economic grants starts this week, and by the year’s end, a total of 406 beneficiaries and their families will be supported though our Programme. Thanks to four organisations working together, donor funding and excellent cooperation with local self-governments, we have managed to make the assistance reach those who need it mostly,” said Mauro Mascioli Project Coordinator.
