Eleven families accommodated in the collective centre “Ratko Mitrović“ signed today agreements for use of prefabricated houses within the framework of the EU project “Support to Implementation of the Strategy for Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Returnees in Serbia “.
The project, amounting to EUR 1.700,000, was funded by the European Union IPA funds. One of the components of the project is also the provision of 11 prefabricated houses for 11 internally displaced families (36 persons) residing in the collective centre “Barake Ratko Mitrović”, municipality of Požega. The total value of the EU donation for this component is EUR 160.000. The completion of the works is expected in August and the new residents should move in in September this year.
The beneficiaries, owners of construction lots, have undertaken to secure all the necessary permits and utility connections. The municipality of Požega shall assist the future tenants in the process of issuance of the necessary permits and documents, and to fund issuance of the permit to use the constructed houses. UNHCR is co-financing this project that will be implemented in cooperation with NGO Vizija. In line with the National Strategy for Resolving the Problems of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2011-2014, and the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to close the collective centres and improve the living conditions of this population, the objective of the project is to assist the Commissioner for Refugees and Migrations and the municipality to find durable solutions for the families who remain in this collective centre.
The collective centre “Barake Ratko Mitrović” was established in 1992. Three integration programmes have been implemented in the period 2009-2012, providing durable solutions for 68 families (302 persons). Following the implementation of this component, 13 internally displaced families who will be provided for by end of 2013 will remain in the collective centre.
Currently there are some 66,000 refugees and 210,000 internally displaced persons from Kosovo in Serbia. Some 2,200 still remain in 20 collective centres on the territory of Central Serbia. The municipality of Požega hosts 140 refugees and 376 internally displaced persons. In 2008, the municipality of Požega adopted a Local Action Plan for Resolution of the Problems of Refugees and Internally Displaced 2009-2013.
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