Wednesday, September 28, 2011 – opening ceremony for occupying 12 units for social housing in supportive environment took place in Šabac. The tenants were handed over the keys by Mr. Adriano Martins, Deputy Head of EU Delegation in Serbia, Mr. Ivan Gerginov, assistant to the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Franc But, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia, Mr. Rasim Ljajić, Minister of Labour and Social Policy and Mr. Gregoire Goodstein, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration.

International Organization for Migration, in cooperation with the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia and the City of Šabac, realized construction of the housing block for social housing in supportive environment, a part of the Project “Support to refugees and internally displaced persons in Serbia”. The City of Šabac took a part in this project by donating a construction site with the necessary infrastructure.

This project was financed by the EU through the Delegation of European Union in the Republic of Serbia and co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia. The purpose of the Project was to contribute to the efforts of the Government of Serbia and the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the National Strategy for Resolving Problems of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.

Having in mind the importance of recent closing of the collective center “Varna” in Šabac, this was an opportunity to provide adequate living conditions in new and functional housing units, equipped and furnished with basic elements, for the families accommodated within this center and more humane and dignified living conditions for those living in inadequate private accommodation along with the support and supervision of the local Center for Social Welfare.