Help managing director visit to Serbia
Help Managing Director Ms. Karin Settele visited Serbia field activities in the beginning of February 2017.
During a tight three-day schedule Ms. Settele and the Help Serbia team visited five cities and municipalities with the most vibrant Help activities ongoing through several projects for migrants/refugees assistance, income generating activities, and flood relief assistance.
In Bogovadja she witnessed the renovated asylum centre with 250 beds capacity, equipped with a new kitchen, totalling assistance provided nearly 200.000 EUR.
In Sombor Help built a reception/asylum centre with 150 beds, intended for accommodation of migrants/refugees during the crisis, but in the long run the centre is intended for the care of local vulnerable population groups, educational purposes and accommodation. In addition, six combined containers (for accommodation, storage, medical assistance, with sanitary blocks) were procured and delivered to the Reception centre Sombor. Sombor was also assisted with the ambulance vehicle with medical equipment, health centre reconstructed and equipped, as well as the Red Cross soup kitchen reconstructed and furnished with appliances.
In Pirot, Ms. Settele also visited the centre for temporary accommodation of migrants renovated and equipped through the EU and German funds, but also paid a visit to a Help supported recycling cooperative for the marginalized population, and greenhouse flower growing Roma producer.
In Nis, she observed the assistance provided to the Correctional institution and other Roma recycling cooperative established through German funds.
In Svilajnac Ms. Settele visited couple of beneficiaries supported within the EU assistance for flood relief in Serbia, whose houses were constructed, reconstructed and income generating activities rehabilitated within the programme.
“I’m very pleased that with the support from the German Government and the European Union we have been able to assist refugees as well as local disadvantaged groups in Serbia in different sectors in order to improve their situation.” said Ms. Settele after the visit, with appreciation of the coordinated and quality cooperation with national and local stakeholders and partner organizations throughout the migrants crisis.