As part of UNMIK’s COVID-19 relief programme providing assistance to communities across Kosovo, the Mission donated 200 boxes containing fabrics and sewing supplies to four women-led NGOs, including: Community Development Institute (CODE), Gračanica/Graçanicë, NGO Lady - CC 4 Women, Pristina, Association of Women Returnees NAŠ DOM, Novo Brdo/Novobërdë and, Women Wellness Centre, Pejë/Peć.

The donations are part of an economic empowerment project that will support 177 women and 23 men by engaging them in the production of 200,000 re-usable masks for distribution in all 38 municipalities.

This is UNMIK’s third project focusing on mask-making since the onset of the pandemic. The previous projects benefited 80 women and 10 men, resulting in the production of 55,000 masks which were delivered to municipalities for further distribution among vulnerable groups.

“These types of interventions have the double aim of economically empowering individuals while simultaneously supporting Kosovo communities by providing an extra layer of protection from COVID,” said Margarethe Matic, Head of UNMIK's Office of Community Support.