While our politicians were getting tested, Montenegro taught a lesson in solidarity

By Rasim Belko

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Montenegro was until recently the only European country without coronavirus. However, the virus came, and in the neighboring country, solidarity literally escalated. 

News about donations from politicians, political parties, businessmen, and others are coming one after another. 

The Civic Alliance decided to make a donation to the National Coordination Team for assistance in the fight against coronavirus. Additionally, all 17 employees will donate part of their salary for the same purpose. 

The Bosniak Party donated 10,000 euros to the National Coordination Body of Montenegro for Infectious Diseases. They also called on all officials of this party to donate. 

The collective of the youngest and smallest ministry in the Government of Montenegro, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, donated 1,000 euros to fight against coronavirus. In addition, ministry officials, the secretary, and two general directors donated a third of their salaries each.

Ethno village "Sveti Georgije" made 15 bungalows available – villas with a total of 90 beds, and the hotel "Grand" offered 40 rooms with 80 beds.

Councilors, MPs, and ministers from the Democratic Party of Socialists donated 20,000 euros to the Clinical Center of Montenegro. They called on all their members, sympathizers, and all voters to donate funds as much as possible. 

The President and MP of the Liberal Party, Andrija Popović, donated 10,000 euros. The Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro unanimously decided that the executive office would donate 5,000 euros.

The Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services of Montenegro informed the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases that it is allocating 20,000 euros as a donation to the state for the fight against COVID 19.

United and solidary Montenegrins have taught the entire region a lesson in solidarity. 

What are politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina doing? Getting tested. Komšić, Novalić, Džindić, as far as we know publicly. Are there tests behind closed doors, we don't know. 

Are there even tests available. There are many who have contacted us and asked to be tested because they were in contact with infected individuals. 

We have clearly failed in everything. But only a narrow circle is affected by testing. We can all influence the general situation. 

Yesterday, I followed an initiative by citizens of Hadžići near Sarajevo on social media. They quickly mobilized, procured a washing machine to be used for washing and disinfecting equipment, a dryer, protective equipment, and other gear. We can do it, but we all must. 

In the article Without a swift reaction from the entire society after the corona, poverty will follow, I stated that we should stay home now, and be humane afterwards. 

To all those numerous millionaires who were often written about, and to all politicians, businessmen, wealthy citizens... I now propose that we follow Montenegro's example. 

I propose that the state open a giro account on Monday. 

We have few ventilators, few tests, protective equipment. Allocating funds is clearly difficult, and it seems that those responsible are irresponsible and are further slowing down the process. 

That is why we must all react together and immediately. 

Let's look up to the Montenegrins, because it seems that those stories about them are not true. They rose in time.