Based on the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, within the projects “Assistance Programme for IDPs through Alternative Housing Solutions and Income Generation Support” and “Housing and Income Generating Support to Refugees and IDPs in Serbia”, implemented by HELP, funded by EU through the European Agency for Reconstruction, and “Regional Refugee Return in the western Balkans”, financed by UNHCR, and “Supporting Returns and Reintegration of displaced from Kosovo” financed by BPRM, implemented by DRC, HELP, in cooperation with DRC (Danish Refugee Council) offers information in regard to return possibilities of IDPs to Kosovo and Metohija.
Kosovo
Information and activities of
DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization founded in 1956 with the aim of assisting the refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Denmark and worldwide. DRC has been operational on the territory of Serbia and Montenegro since 1993. The program offering information to internally displaced persons and return to Kosovo started in 2002 and has been implemented in cooperation with DRC Kosovo. Up to now, 2517 internally displaced persons participated in “Go and see” visits during which more than 156 villages and towns across Kosovo were visited. Also, the participation of IDPs in about 500 meetings of municipal working groups discussing the process of return to Kosovo was organized.
Information Centres
DRC Information Centres offer general information about Kosovo and specific information on individual place of origin in Kosovo- related to the security situation, property condition, possibility of employment, education, health and other ways of achieving legal rights. Also, Information Centres offer information on achieving legal rights in Serbia and connecting with agencies/institutions assisting IDPs. DRC has five Information Centres out of which three are in Serbia, one in Montenegro and one in Macedonia. These centres create network which offers information to all interested internally displaced persons in the region.
Go and see visits
DRC organizes “Go and see” visits for IDPs who would like to find out more about return process and all institutions which can offer assistance. Representatives of UNHCR and UNMIK and local authorities from Kosovo organize meetings of IDPs in Serbia and offer information on current situation in towns or villages of origin of IDPs.
House reconstruction assistance
In cooperation with DRC Kosovo, Kosovo returnees are offered the estimation of the house damage with the possibility for their reconstruction. DRC Kosovo also connects returnees with other organizations, which assist in reconstruction or construction if the level of damage exceeds the possibilities of Kosovo program.
Presence in the work of the municipal working groups
Municipal working groups are open forums, which coordinate the process of return to the specific municipality in Kosovo where in the presence of local authorities and international organizations the return process is being discussed. DRC is organizing your presence on these meetings thus enabling you to take part in planning of the return process. DRC is also supporting the participation of IDPs on the meetings where they can develop inter-ethnic dialog with the representatives of welcoming community in regard to the potential places of return. If you would like to participate in these meetings and discuss the preparation of return with the authorized organizations and institutions in Kosovo, as well as ex neighbours, as a representative of a certain number of internally displaced persons, please call the closest DRC Information Centre.
For assistance, you can call DRC employees who are expecting you in the Information Centres. If you are unable to come you can call the closest center and DRC employee will visit you.
INFORMATION CENTRES OF DANISH REFUGEE COUNSIL:
Beograd
Zagrebačka 6, 011 2627 453, 2187 812, 2185 964
Kragujevac
Svetozara Markovića 63, 034 3314 33
Kraljevo
Obilićeva 34, 036 324 992
Podgorica
Miodraga Bulatovića 1, +381/2 81 652 835
Skopje
Železnička 53, +389 2 3118 641
