Montenegro Government and partners join efforts to help people who lost homes in refugee camp fire

Podgorica, Montenegro (27 July 2012) -- Parts of the refugee camp Konik I on the outskirts of Podgorica were destroyed in a fire on Tuesday, 24 July. Only nine out of 38 barracks were not burnt in the fire. There were no casualties.

Around 800 persons, mainly Roma who fled Kosovo during the war in 1999, were left homeless. The Red Cross set up 90 tents as temporary housing for the endangered population on Tuesday night.

All the departments and services took a timely and synchronised action in extinguishing fire and taking care of the endangered population, thus avoiding more severe consequences.

The Government is to provide 150 containers, as a medium term solution for accommodating the population, and in cooperation with the Red Cross, the Capital City, and the UNHCR, the food will be provided.

The Ministry of Health will be responsible for providing full health care. The line ministries will be in charge, in cooperation with the UNHCR, of re-issuing identification documents that were destroyed in the fire.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance will open a donations bank account. The Cabinet members decided to set aside 10% of their August salaries to assist the vulnerable people, while the Ministry for Minority Rights will allocate EUR 20 thousand for food provision.