THE UNITED STATES AND SLOVAKIA PARTNER TO HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ONGOING PANDEMIC

BELGRADE - On May 28, 2021, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic launched a project to support people who are homeless or living in inadequate housing in Belgrade, by providing water, sanitation and hygiene services, preventive services, health care and psycho-social services. The project is implemented by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).    

“I think it is fair to say that COVID-19 has made the last year difficult for everyone. But imagine the situation from the perspective of people who do not have permanent homes,” said U.S. Ambassador Anthony Godfrey. “Throughout the pandemic, as part of $4.6 million in COVID assistance to Serbia, the United States has partnered with the Serbian Red Cross, UNICEF, and others to help reach some of Serbia’s most vulnerable people with hygiene, food and other assistance. We’re impressed by what Slovak Aid and ADRA have done for the homeless community of Belgrade, and today we are committing $120,000 to partner with them to build on this effort to help even more people.” 

Through this project, USAID will also fund the continued operations of ADRA’s mobile service for homeless people in Belgrade, known as “DrumoDom,” through January 2022. The “DrumoDom” is a specially outfitted bus with showers, toilets, and a room for medical checkups, that provides services in different locations in Belgrade.

“I am glad that USAID has recognized the importance of this project, which provides health care and basic hygiene needs to the homeless, but at the same time provides a sense of security for someone to think and take care of them. Through the official development programme of the Slovak Republic, implemented under the logo SlovakAid, almost 100,000 euros have been allocated for this purpose, and it is only one of the projects by which Slovakia helps citizens of Serbia in the fight against COVID-19. Last year SlovakAid support in the amount of 187,000 euros was provided to Serbia, this year, material humanitarian aid in the value of almost 97,000 euros was delivered in response to COVID-19,” said Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Belgrade Fedor Rosocha.