16/7/2004
Serbian War Refugees To Benefit From Social Programme

Tens of thousands of war refugees and other vulnerable people in Serbia will benefit shortly from a major new housing and social integration programme. Launched by the United Nations settlements agency (UN-HABITAT) with assistance from the Italian government, the programme fills a gap left by several major humanitarian organisations now winding down their emergency operations there.

The programme involves providing 670 new dwellings for 3,000 of the neediest direct beneficiaries and providing technical help for social housing development. Weak institutions and outmoded shelter and development practices have proved a major constraint in developing sustainable social housing in the past. In addition, efforts will be made to help refugees and displaced people integrate into society and to boost the local development planning capacity.