Pristina, 18 April 2023 - Afërdita, a 41-year-old woman from the village of Tushilë/Tušila in the municipality of Skënderaj/Srbica, has been living with her seven-year-old son in this quiet village nestled along the Klina River for some time now. 

On a cold January day, the village was hit by a devastating flood that took almost everything they owned.  

"All I could think of was to care for my child, and I had no idea how I would get through this. I felt lost and alone," Afërdita recalls the day when the river went wild. "In such a situation, I had no other option but to leave my home temporarily," she added. 

Despite the challenges since then, Afërdita is determined to provide a better life for her son. She started seeking support from local authorities and organizations. Eventually, she was able to receive aid from a non-profit organization that provided her with food and clothing. A few weeks later, Afërdita was among over 790 Kosovo households to benefit from IOM's assistance under the EU-funded Community Stabilization Programme as part of the United Nations Flood Response initiative. 

Volunteers from different ethnic communities have been engaged to assist in the identification of beneficiaries, assessment of their needs, community outreach events, and delivery of IOM's cash-based support in the form of vouchers with values determined by the size of beneficiary families. 

In closing, Afërdita expressed the value of collaborating with IOM and its dedicated staff during these difficult times, adding that she has learned that hope and determination can help her overcome even the most challenging situations.