The European Union, together with its partners the Hilfswerk International, has provided packages containing food and hygiene items to the most vulnerable citizens of BiH. This week began the distribution of care packages to citizens who, because of the emergency situation caused by coronavirus, were prevented from leaving their homes or are unable to take care of themselves due to poor social or health status.
The packages were personally delivered to recipients by Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation in BiH Khadoun Sinno and Director of the Hilfswerk International Suzana Jašarević.
Deputy Ambassador Sinno said: “I am extremely pleased for having an opportunity to deliver this assistance. In situations like this, we must all show our solidarity and consideration for others. The European Union has demonstrated many times before that we are here to offer help to citizens who are in need.”
The donated packages are worth EUR 15,000 and the packages have been distributed on the basis of the records of the Centres for Social Work and municipal authorities that participate in this action. This activity is being implemented as a part of the project aimed to improve human rights and quality of life of elderly people in BiH. Since the project activities have been slowed down due to the current situation, some activities have been adapted to provide direct aid to the elderly people in cities included in the project: Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar and Brčko District has been initiated.
Director Jašarević said: “By acting promptly and making decisions quickly, the EU Delegation to BiH, we agreed to urgently allocate the funds and support the most vulnerable population – the elderly people – who are subject to additional pandemics-related restrictions. We are happy for being able to make their lives easier for at least a while, and to bring some joy and warmth into their lives.”
Due to the coronavirus related circumstances and restricted freedom of movement and assembly of the general population, elderly people have found themselves in a very difficult situation. Adding to the problems caused by precarious financial situation, the elderly are often lonely and frequently excluded from the community life, and this affects their mental state. For that reason the Project has delivered to the beneficiaries’ homes the sets of work materials for the 30 members of the occupational workshops of the Centre for Healthy Aging, who are currently doing their work at home.
The project “Action Against Ageism” is financed by the European Union with over EUR 150,000, and implemented by the Hilfswerk International together with Partnership for Public Health, Red Cross of BiH, and Association for Help and Development “HAJDE”.
