Sunday, 26.07.2020.

SUPPORT FROM THE EMBASSY OF the KINGDOM OF NORWAY AND GROUP 484 DURING THE PANDEMIC PRESS RELEASE

24 July 2020

We are tracking a path of solidarity for the most vulnerable during the pandemic.

Thanks to the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Belgrade, we have managed to respond and launch a support programme for civil society organisations working with the most vulnerable groups, but also to provide support to institutions as part of responding to COVID-19 challenges in Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Since April, assistance and support have reached a large number of local communities, and a wide network of local organisations and volunteers has been created to improve access to services and provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need, including people with disabilities, the poor, Roma, single parents, refugees and migrants, people with severe chronic diseases.

Packages with basic groceries, protection and hygienic items have already been distributed to over 50,000 people, and in the coming months, the programme will encompass more than 100,000 people. We have also supported organisations to provide psychosocial and legal services as part of their activities to more easily overcome the negative consequences of the situation caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In order to raise the capacities of institutions, we have helped the Institute of Radiology and Oncology and the Institute of Mental Health with new medical equipment and necessary protection and disinfection materials.

Our contribution does not end here. In the upcoming period, we will continue to track and strengthen the path of solidarity and support in order to respond to the challenges as adequately as possible and, by connecting and working together with others, provide assistance to those who need it most.

With the Catalyst Foundation, we have launched several solidarity campaigns on the Donacije.rs website, and we would like to invite all readers who are able to support the campaigns with their donations – because no one is safe until everyone is protected.

The organisations and institutions supported so far are: Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Centre for Palliative Care and Palliative Medicine BELhospice, Caritas of Srijem Diocese, Autonomous Women’s Centre, Home for Children with Developmental Disabilities Kolevka, Institute for Mental Health, Institute of Oncology and Radiology, Catalyst Foundation (all from Serbia), Civic Alliance from Montenegro, Red Cross of the City of Skopje, Coalition of Youth Organisations SEGA, Legis Skopje, Growth & Development Skopje (all from North Macedonia).