heks

Following the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, the last decade in Serbia has been characterised by instability, international isolation, economic collapse and breakdown of social infrastructures. Poverty and unemployment are also likely to remain the biggest problems in the next few years. Today some seven per cent of the population lives below the poverty line while a third lives just over the threshold. The rate of unemployment is 20 per cent. The minorities are particularly severely affected by unemployment and by the lack of social welfare services.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

The geographic focus for the HEKS 2009-2012 Serbia aid programme is Vojvodina. HEKS has pledged to concentrate on the following areas for the next four years:

• Better living conditions for the Roma community:  Since the Balkan Wars the Serbian province of Vojvodina has become a dumping ground for Roma people from all the countries of the former Yugoslavia and for those turned away from western Europe. This has caused additional deterioration in the already precarious living conditions in the Roma settlements there. HEKS is supporting the inhabitants of two Roma slums in the renovation of their houses and huts, and young Roma are receiving vocational training so that they can gain better access to the job market.

• Development of social services in Vojvodina: HEKS is supporting the ecumenical aid organisation EHO in Novi Sad with the development of a social welfare service for the care of the elderly and sick. There is a health visitor service and a day centre offering various activities and support for elderly people and for disadvantaged fringe groups.

• Support for the Reformed Church in Serbia: HEKS makes an annual interchurch aid contribution in support of the Reformed Church of Serbia. These funds are used for pastoral and charitable work.