The EU donates Emergency Backpacks for Migrants and IT Equipment to the Border Department of Kosovo Police to Further Address Pandemic Challenges
Joint Press Release
Pristina, 29 January 2021 – To address the current pandemic challenges and present-day winter conditions among the migrant and refugee community in Kosovo, the European Union continues to provide support to those that are most vulnerable.
On 29 January, the Border Department of the Kosovo Police received a donation of 1000 emergency backpacks for distribution to migrants, in the framework of the project “Addressing COVID-19 Challenges within the Migrant and Refugee Response in the Western Balkans”, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The donation has been made possible thanks to the contribution of the European Union’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (EU FPI, IcSP) and was handed over by IOM during a ceremony at the premises of the General Directorate of the Kosovo Police.
The assistance worth 13,200 Euros includes 1,000 emergency backpacks with food items (energy bars) and non-food items (blanket, socks, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, brush, etc.), and COVID-19 protection equipment (reusable protective mask, disinfectant), as well as printed material (information on COVID-19, services available to migrants through the established Infoline, etc.). They will be distributed to migrants upon their registration at police registration points around Kosovo, and IOM will also reach out and provide backpacks to migrants and refugees outside official accommodation facilities who are coping with the harsh winter weather. The assistance also includes three (3) laptops which will be used by border police officers and personnel working at police facilities that officially register incoming migrants.
“The continued support by the European Union and IOM to our border police officers who deal directly with migrants, helps us establish safe protocols and procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic challenges. This time the support really extends to vulnerable migrants who come to register with us, and who will immediately be provided with an emergency backpack containing winter assistance essentials,” said the General Police Director, Samedin Mehmeti.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 3,000 new arrivals of migrants and refugees have been registered in Kosovo to date.
Katerina Lopo, from the Political Office/Political, Economic and EU Integration, of the EU Office stated: “The EU is pleased to support the migrants who are among the most vulnerable during the ongoing dual challenge of COVID-19 pandemic and difficult winter conditions. Today’s donation to Kosovo border police of registration laptops and emergency winter backpacks for registered migrants that contain not only essential items but will also contribute to raise migrants’ awareness about the dangers of COVID -19 and available support in Kosovo are much welcomed. At the same time, let me thank the Kosovo Border Police and DCAM for their continuous efforts to improve registration, identification and reception of vulnerable migrants as Kosovo is currently hosting the 3rd largest group of migrants in the region.”
This donation complements the EU bilateral support to Kosovo for the provision of tailored assistance in protecting the most vulnerable and enhancing authorities’ preparedness to respond to the pandemic.
“Every year, winter comes to intensify the struggles of migrants and refugees. With the EU contribution IOM is pleased to distribute emergency backpacks with essential items to vulnerable migrants who are struggling to meet their basic needs and limit the negative impact of the cold season on them,” said Anna Rostocka, IOM Chief of Mission. “IOM through this EU funded project continues to take action that will strengthen prevention and mitigation measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 contagion among migrants and continues to support and facilitate border and police authorities with innovative and flexible public health solutions, to protect health and human rights of migrants,” she added.
The project “Addressing COVID-19 challenges within the Migrant and Refugee Response in the Western Balkans” aims at ensuring that asylum and migration management systems remain operational and that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the Western Balkans is reduced. The project runs from April 2020 until July 2021 with an overall envelope of EUR 8 million Euro. It completes the bilateral donations from the EU to Kosovo, which amount to EUR 800,000.00.
For further information on the project, please contact, Luljeta Kuraja, Communications Assistant, at lkuraja@iom.int
