CoE Development banks gives EUR 400.00 grant towards housing of Roma refugees

Podgorica, Montenegro (1 November 2012) – At today’s Cabinet session, the Government adopted the Draft Agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Council of Europe’s Development Bank for providing 216 container homes as a medium term solution for accommodating the population of the refugee camp Konik I that suffered from a severe fire this summer, Labour Minister Suad Numanović told the press earlier today.

Namely, parts of the camp on the outskirts of Podgorica were destroyed in a fire on 24 July 2012. 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.

The draft agreement envisages Council of Europe Development Bank’s grant amounted to EUR 400.000 for the project worth EUR 1.260.000 million. The additional funds will be provided from the Montenegrin Budget and donations, and the project is expected to be implemented until mid November, Minister Numanović noted.

The permanent solution for all displaced persons and refugees on the territory of Montenegro will be provided through the regional housing programme known as “Sarajevo Process” or “Belgrade Initiative.” The programme is to be realised together with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, with the political and financing backing of the international community, the Labour Minister concluded.