Zenica: Roma families received keys to their new homes

In the Zenica settlement of Brist, a ceremony was held today for the handover of keys for newly built housing units to Roma families. The first key was handed over by Mayor Husejin Smajlović, writes the BH News Agency Patria.

The project "Roma Action" supports the socio-economic inclusion of the Roma population in BiH through housing, socio-economic measures with the proactive participation of authorities and other partners. So far, within this project, 149 housing units have been built and renovated for Roma families.

The ceremony was attended by Husejin Smajlović, Mayor of Zenica, Vladimir Pandurević, Program Manager at the EU Delegation to BiH, Ševket Hafizović, advisor to the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees in BiH, Nisvet Mujanović, advisor to the Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees of the Federation of BiH, Nurđehan Šahinović, Minister of Labor, Social Policy and Refugees of the ZE-DO Canton, Suzana Jašarević, Director of Hilfswerk Austria International for BiH, Elmir Bojadžić, Regional Director of Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V (ASB), Dervo Sejdić, President of the Association Kali Sara - RIC.

- I am glad to have the opportunity to address you at this solemn moment. When I first came to Zenica and spoke with Mayor Smajlović, I told him we have problems, there is money in the international community, please show the political will to help the Roma. Zenica is one of the best examples of inclusive Roma integration practices. What makes me particularly happy is that these children will go to school and tomorrow be able to provide for themselves - said Sejdić.

DONORS are EU 4,889,575 KM, FMROI 100,000 KM, Tuzla Canton 10,000 KM, City of Tuzla 80,000 KM, Municipality of Lukavac 50,000 KM, Municipality of Gračanica 50,000 KM, Municipality of Kakanj 80,000 KM, Municipality of Centar Sarajevo 150,000 KM, Municipality of Novo Sarajevo 15,000 KM, Zenica-Doboj Canton 80,000 KM, City of Zenica 60,000 KM, Una-Sana Canton 80,000 KM, City of Bihać 91,000 KM, Municipality of Bosanska Krupa 10,000 KM, Municipality of G. Vakuf/Uskoplje 60,000 KM, City of Bijeljina 100,000 KM, Municipality of Vukosavlje 40,000 KM, Municipality of Zvornik 80,000 KM.