For two years now, European Commission, UNHCR, and the Kosovo Ministry for Returns and Communities asked the Municipality of Gjakova to allocate a site where these three institutions would construct housing facilities for 50 families with 114 members from RAE communities, displaced since the war and living in a refugee camp in Montenegro.
The request that so far was rejected by the previous local leadership under the justification that municipality has no free areas, it seems will now be approved by the new local government.
The news was confirmed by Gjakova Mayor, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, in a meeting with head of UNHCR mission in Kosovo, Luca Curci.
“We have identified two suitable locations and we have to decide now about the form of construction – will it be collective housing or individual”, said Kusari-Lila.
She added that if they opt for collective housing, they will go with the land parcel at “Ura e Llukacit” whereas if individual houses are chosen, they will use a parcel near the village of Hereq, which seems is a more advantageous solution.
At the same time, head of UNHCR in Kosovo, Luca Curci, said European Commission has pledged two million euros for construction of 60 houses throughout Kosovo. These funds were deemed insufficient but, Curci added that if the project is successfully implemented, the EC has expressed readiness for further investments.
“There is a need for 50 houses in Gjakova only while the first phase of the project envisages construction of 60 houses throughout Kosovo. However, the largest number of displaced persons comes from the Gjakova municipality, therefore this municipality will have a priority in the project”, said Curci.
On this issue, Kusari-Lila said she will request the EC to pledge additional funds in the case of Gjakova so that the housing problem for all families interested in returning can be solved all at once.
Apart from this issue, Kusari-Lila also expressed concern about another category. This includes persons displaced within the municipality of Gjakova who fled their homes, mostly in the villages along the border strip, and now live on social assistance in Gjakova.
“There needs to be equal treatment for all displaced persons because those who also left their homes in the villages near the border live today in very difficult conditions”, said Kusari-Lila.
