BACKGROUND

The Support for Local Response to Refugee Crisis project is an 18-month activity implemented by the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. The project improves the capabilities of select local governments, volunteer organizations, and civil society organizations to respond to the current European migration crisis. By its design the project also helps municipalities to develop strategies and structures to aid them in the event of future manmade and natural crises.

ACTIVITIES

The foundation works with municipalities with the largest concentration of refugees to ensure communities are prepared to provide temporary refuge to those transiting through Serbia or assistance to those wishing to seek asylum in Serbia. The foundation is also strengthening the capacity of Refugee Aid Serbia and Miksalište--the volunteer and donations coordination centers in Belgrade that provide hot meals and showers for migrants--to distribute donations of clothing and hygiene products and to organize volunteers who are supporting refugees throughout the country. An accompanying public awareness campaign increases Serbians’ understanding of the refugees’ plight and promotes empathy and solidarity.

RESULTS

• Donated equipment to the Subotica Red Cross Public Kitchen, the largest in Vojvodina, enabling the kitchen to prepare 400 additional meals per day for community members and migrants;
• Donated two mobile electrocardiogram (EKG) machines to the Subotica Public Health Center. The new machines will support improved care for rural citizens of the Subotica municipality;
• Donated an EKG mobile machine to “Kolevka,” a center for disabled children in Subotica;
• Furnished children’s corners in Refugee Reception Centers in each partner municipality;
• Carried out three public opinion polls about attitudes of the local population towards refugees and migrants and a media campaign dubbed “Life Does Not Choose Its Path” to increase Serbians’ understanding of the refugees’ plight;
• Provided equipment to emergency management teams in partner municipalities and trained teams in emergency response.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Serbia)

Project implemented by:

Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation

Where we work:

Šid, Preševo, Belgrade (Krnjača), Tutin, Sjenica, Dimitrovgrad, Lakovac, Subotica

Project duration:

March 2016 – August 2017

Total amount:

$727,538

USAID contribution:

$700,000

Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation:

$27,538

Contact:

Ilije Garašanina 53a/V

11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Phone: +381 11 334 1755

E-mail: hod@divac.com

Websites: www.fondacijadivac.org;

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/FondacijaDivac