On May 23, 2020, the European Union donated 500 food/hygiene packages to vulnerable residents of Roma substandard settlements in Belgrade. The activity was implemented within the Program "EU Support to Roma Inclusion - Strengthening Local Communities for Roma Inclusion", funded by the European Union and implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).
The direct distribution of aid will be done by the City Municipality of Surčin, which received 300 packages, while the Center for Integration of Youth will organize the distribution of 200 packages.
During the handover of the package Stevan Šuša, Mayor of Surčin City Municipality, thanked the European Union for the donation and pointed out that this type of assistance is important for overcoming the difficult situation of inhabitants of Roma settlements living on the territory of Surčin City Municipality.
On behalf of the SCTM, Natalija Matunović Milošević, Manager of the Program "EU Support to Roma Inclusion - Strengthening Local Communities for Roma Inclusion", stressed the importance of European Union support in the process of integration of the Roma population in Serbia. She stated that aid packages are also part of those efforts, and although not of great value, they come at the right time because our Roma fellow citizens are particularly affected by the emergency situation.
The package was handed over to the Center for Integration of Youth at the Children's Shelter in Zvezdara, and Gashi Senada from the Roma settlement of Mali Leskovac from Karaburma said during the handover that the help means a lot to her six-member family because it contains food and hygiene products.
Emir Kadrijević from the Roma settlement in Vuka Vrčevića Street thanked the European Union for the donated packages, but also for the continuous support it provides to the Children's Shelter. He especially emphasized his satisfaction because he had the opportunity to participate in the distribution of aid to residents from his and other Roma settlements. He stated that his compatriots did not hide their satisfaction with the help they received because they found themselves in a very difficult situation caused by the corona virus.