UNMIK/PR/1357
PRISTINA – A briefing for donors was held in Mitrovica today for the purpose of raising funds for the reconstruction of Roma Mahalla, on the south bank of the Ibar River in Mitrovicë/a, that was home to about 8,000 Roma, Ashkaeli and Egyptians (RAE) prior to June 1999.
Addressing the media after the Donors’ Briefing and Appeal, SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen said, “We had the donor’s meeting today to mobilize resources, so we can immediately move on the solution. Return in safety and dignity is the only solution.”
The meeting was jointly organized by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Returns and Communities, the Ministry of Environmental and Spatial Planning, the Municipality of Mitrovicë/a, and the Office of Returns and Communities of UNMIK.
More than a dozen representatives of potential donors were present at the meeting. They expressed their genuine wish to help the reconstruction of the Roma Mahalla, and move forward the return of the Roma community to their homes.
“It will be one of the largest returns so far,” the SRSG said, “It will be a return of an urban community, and as such it will also send a signal that return to urban areas is possible.”
Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi pledged 200 000 Euros and SRSG Jessen-Petersen also assured the potential donors present that UNMIK will more than match that amount.