Keys to six new houses in Loznica, whose construction was funded by the EU, have been handed to their future residents, whereas over 150 small farms from this city received another tranche of assistance within EU Assistance for Flood Relief Programme. Under the Programme, Loznica has received 790.000 euros, which is also the most substantial post-flood assistance this city has received.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Oskar Benedikt, together with Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, prof. Dr. Snezana Bogosavljevic Boskovic, and the Mayor of Loznica Vidoje Petrovic, handed the keys to six new houses whose construction was funded by the Union within EU Assistance for Flood Relief Programme.
Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) in cooperation with Housing Centre and IDC managed to reconstruct 20 houses and construct six new ones that have suffered serious damage during the floods in Loznica. Each of the houses has been furnished and equipped with appliances. European Union has allocated 335.000 euros for the renovation and construction of private homes. Families of Predrag Stefanovic, Dobrivoje Jovanovic, Vladimir Maksimovic, Zdravko Vasiljevic, Rade Tadic and Nada Vicic were handed the keys by Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Oskar Benedikt.
“We have built a total of six houses and reconstructed 20 homes. Houses are equipped with new furniture, beds, refrigerators, washing machines etc. This assistance was provided via EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Programme, under which 850 houses have been reconstructed and 150 newly constructed. EU’s assistance to Serbia amounts to more than 160 million euros in total,” Benedikt said.
The Stefanovics, a family of five, have been constructed a 85 square metres house in the new safe location, provided by the City of Loznica for each of the six homes constructed under the EU Programme. After the floods, the family have lived in one room of 30 square metres in size, lacking basic living conditions.
”Huge landslides have destroyed everything I had. We moved to my mother’s, all of us in one small room. I want to thank the EU on their donation, ASB and other good people for not forgetting us and being with us when we needed it most. Finally, we have a beautiful, safe house,” Predrag Stefanovic said.
Besides six already built houses, the construction of additional three prefabricated houses is underway. The project of Germany-based organisation ASB is focused on, not only the reconstruction of private homes, but also on supporting small and micro enterprises and farmers. In Loznica, seven small family businesses have received assistance so far, as well as eight agricultural producers who have restored their income generation thanks to donation worth 35.000 euros.
ASB, alongside Housing Centre, Initiative for Development and Cooperation and Diva Foundation, facilitates the reconstruction in nine Serbian municipalities: Loznica, Sabac, Sid, Valjevo, Osecina, Ljubovija, Bajina Bašta, Mali Zvornik and Ljig. EU donation worth 3.04 million euros ensured the renovation and construction of 202 houses, 172 grants for small and micro enterprises and farms, as well as construction material for the reconstruction of 40 affected businesses
