Benkovac, 7 February 2018 – Today, keys were handed over to 21 RHP beneficiary families (75 persons) who are either former occupancy/tenancy right holders or most vulnerable refugee families from Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently living in the vicinity of Benkovac in collective centres or rented apartments.

With a total cost of EUR 1.3 million, the building in Benkovac (RHP project „HR5“) is one of the six projects approved by the RHP Fund Assembly of Donors for Croatia, and the third one to be completed. Out of the 75 persons that received keys for their new homes today, 13 are children and 16 are ill or disabled.

The keys to 21 apartments were handed over by Nikola Mazar, State Secretary at the Central State Office for Reconstruction and Housing Care, the Mayor of Benkovac Mr Tomislav Bulić, Stephan Sellen, Deputy Director General of the Council of Europe Development Bank, the UNHCR representative in Croatia Giuseppe Di Caro as well as the Deputy Mayor of Zadar County Mr Sime Vickovic.

Nikola Mazar thanked the joint efforts of the Croatian Government, EU and other donors as well as the CEB, allowing the construction of the new building. The Mayor of Benkovac Tomislav Bulić stated: „Today we have even forgotten the prolonged construction works on this building. I would like to thank the new tenants for their patience and welcome them in our city.”

Stephan Sellen stated that the RHP has already improved the lives of some 8 000 most vulnerable persons in the four Partner Countries and 2018 should see this number doubled. He highlighted that RHP is a flagship programme which can also serve as an example for the reinforced reconciliation efforts foreseen under the recently published EU perspective of the Western Balkans.

Giuseppe Di Caro from the UNHCR congratulated the stakeholders for the successful completion of the project, and reminded that with this building, Benkovac joined Korenica and Knin as a host for RHP beneficiaries.

Marko Lucic, beneficiary:
“I would like to express the gratitude in the name of the new tenants of this beautiful building to all of you who have supported and contributed to the realisation of this project, allowing us to rebuild our lives after more than 20 years.”

Slavica Zubonja, beneficiary:
“When they informed me that the building was completed, and invited me to come to get the keys, I started crying of happiness. I still cannot believe that this is really my home. I will even be able to plant flowers in the garden which can be seen from my window, can you imagine?”