Reconstruction begins in Kraljevo

During the week of 11-16 August 2014, International Orthodox Christian Charities—IOCC, working with the Red Cross of Kraljevo and on behalf of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church, initiated a reconstruction programme in Kraljevo, in Grdica Village. This affected local population largely consists of those exiled from their native Kosovo. In 2010 they were near devastated by the earthquake and now are attempting to rebuild their homes and lives following the spring floods of 2014.    

In years past, following the earthquake, the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand donated US $53,100 toward the relief effort valued at US $203,100 supplying, among all else, much needed personal and household hygiene sets, firewood and wood burning stoves. Every dollar donated through IOCC can help secure as much as an additional $7 per dollar through the leveraging of funds from governments, foundations and other sources. Presently, the Metropolitanate has donated AU $50,000 for the flood relief in Kraljevo.

IOCC Belgrade Programme Manager Nenad Prelevic, a specialised civil engineer, reports that the final selection of 60 targeted beneficiary families in Grdica is completed, as well as delivery of the repair/reconstruction material; and many families are already working on restoring their homes.

“I am very much excited with the work and changes that we are making in lives of people affected by floods,” notes Nenad. “With your support, many families are able to fix their homes and move forward with their lives. I am looking forward to visiting the project site with His Grace Bishop Irinej and presenting the details of the project intended for project beneficiaries’ selection phase. There is a data base with over 400 photos as well, documenting everything received, including name, location and signature of each beneficiary family.”

During the field work the IOCC and Red Cross team were visited in Grdica Village in Kraljevo by the Serbian National TV crew from RTS channel 1. They produced a short information clip about the programme and which aired on national/satellite news.  As the work progresses more reporting will be made available. The initial report can be seen on the following link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuH2VacN2SM&list=UUzdAWezlvOXUKoPvAwyz6ng

Next week, final visits to Krupanj will be completed, and project concepts for Krupanj and the Valjevo and Tuzla-Zvornik Dioceses will be submitted for review and anticipated funding from the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand.

IOCC, an international Orthodox Christian aid agency, was recently recognised for their endeavours on behalf of the 2014 flood victims by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church. 

Source: Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand