Sremska Mitrovica, 27 February 2019 – Today, the RHP stakeholders celebrated in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, the start of works for the construction of 30 apartments under the RHP sub-project SRB5. The project completion is scheduled for spring 2020.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica Dacic highlighted the important number of RHP construction sites currently active in Serbia, with several inauguration events in the pipeline. For example, one of the largest individual RHP construction sites in Kamendin, Zemun, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2019, providing a new home for 270 vulnerable refugee families.

Minister Dacic opening the works on the new site, located next to 40 RHP-financed apartments which were handed over to beneficiaries in July 2018

Mr Yngve Engstrom, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia recalled that the European Union has provided more than EUR 230 million to the programme and remains actively involved in it.

The Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration, Vladimir Cucic, stated that a total of 2 853 families have so far been given a roof over their heads under the RHP, whereas more than 7 000 families will be provided housing before the programme ends.

Minister Dacic also stated that the support from both the UNHCR and OSCE is of particular importance for the implementation of the RHP, while the role assumed by the Council of Europe Development Bank in managing the Trust Fund is also fundamental.

RHP info desk:  Secretariat of the Regional Housing Programme ceb-rhp@coebank.org