Actuality

The family homes of Miodrag and Božidar Popović in the village of Vujinovača were completely destroyed in the landslides activated in the area during the floods in May 2014. Owing to the European Union donation, both families have moved into newly-built houses, fully furnished and equipped with white goods.

“European Union is a big partner of the City of Valjevo, especially in the reconstruction activities after the floods which destroyed a large number of households. That is why the European Union financed construction of 22 houses in Valjevo to provide high-quality living conditions for the citizens who have lost all their property. Furthermore, we supported reconstruction of 16 households for those who were unable to provide the funds for themselves”, stressed Ambassador Davenport.

“European Union showed great humanity and provided Valjevo with the biggest flood relief aid. With its help, we believe we will manage to solve the landslide problems as well which are a big issue in this area”, said the mayor of Valjevo Stanko Terzić.
Head of the EU Delegation and mayor Terzić gave a six-member family of Ivan Stanimirović in the village of Belo Polje a motor cultivator for land tillage. European Union provided 190,000 euros to support more than 750 farmers in Valjevo who already got assistance packages for winter and spring sowing, fruit tree seedlings, fodder and other forms of aid so that they could repair their properties.

“One of the European Union’s primary objectives after the devastating floods in May last year was to help the farmers. Until now, we managed to provide support for more than 18,000 families in Serbia who are engaged in agriculture and help them renovate their croplands, orchards and restart their livestock breeding activities”, said Davenport.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia also visited a family tavern “Devet Jugovića” (Eng. Nine Jugović brothers) in the village of Valjevska Loznica which reopened owing to the European Union assistance. Panić, the family of four, whose only source of income is this tavern, received assistance package including construction material, necessary devices and restaurant equipment. As many as 24 small-sized enterprises in Valjevo have been supported within the EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Program.

“It is very important to help small-sized enterprises and businesspeople restart their activities. Thus, flood-affected families can continue earning their own living with dignity”, said Ambassador Davenport.
EU Assistance for Flood Relief in Serbia Program is implemented in Valjevo by Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).