UNICEF, in co-operation with the Red Cross of Serbia, distributes financial humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable families

Belgrade, 22 February 2022 - UNICEF and the Red Cross of Serbia are providing financial humanitarian aid to 500 most vulnerable families in Serbia. The assistance for 500 households with children is aimed at families from 9 municipalities (Aleksandrovac, Brus, Ivanjica, Osečina, Sjenica, Novi Pazar, Priboj, Prijepolje, Rekovac). The assistance for 500 families is provided as part of the For 1,000 Families from the Edge campaign, which was launched late last year to provide funds to families with children facing chronically insufficient income to meet basic needs and survive the winter.

"We are aware that children from the poorest families are most affected by economic shocks, and the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated their financial position by reducing their income, which was insufficient even before the outbreak of the pandemic. That is why the cash benefits are an important form of support for the most vulnerable families in times of crisis, because their living conditions, which are already difficult, become even more challenging with the arrival of winter. Towards the end of last year, UNICEF mobilised its own resources and engaged with the business sector and individuals to help raise funds to provide the poorest families with children the necessary financial aid to survive the winter," said Deyana Kostadinova, UNICEF Representative in Serbia.

Since October of last year, when the campaign was launched, 23 million dinars were raised owing to donations from individuals and the business sector. The Catena Media company provided a significant donation that provided aid for 300 families.

"Catena Media allocated funds late last year to support families living in difficult conditions and further destabilised by the pandemic, as they struggle to provide food for children and bare necessities. We are aware that one company alone cannot solve the problem of poverty, but together, we can make a difference and help children living in difficult conditions. If more companies join this appeal, all 1000 families could be included in our response and we invite our partners and business community to join UNICEF, which, every time, accurately identifies the social needs to be met through unity," said Denis Ristic, General Manager of Catena Media.

Bojan Imer is the father of five who lost his job and living after the pandemic broke out. "That was really hard. There was a lockdown, there was nothing to do. We were at home all the time. They need shoes, clothes, because when our house collapsed, all their things were left there. My daughter is a good girl who studies hard, and so is the one who is in kindergarten. The teachers called and said they were good. This assistance will enable us to buy basic school supplies and clothes for them," said Bojan Imer, receiving financial assistance for his family.

UNICEF, the Red Cross of Serbia and the Red Cross organisations in municipalities and cities are responsible for the implementation of activities related to financial assistance to households with children, and support in identifying potential users is provided by centres for social work, local self-government and home care services of primary health care centres.

Depending on the number of household members, UNICEF will deposit the financial assistance to each household, based on family structure and number of children, into the gift card distributed by the Red Cross of Serbia.