However, some citizens and NGOs are trying through protests and critical messages to European leaders, to draw attention to the fact that Montenegro, although a small country, can contribute to mitigating the effects of this unprecedented crisis, which, according to many analysts, has already received the character of a humanitarian disaster, reports the Radio Free Europe (RFE).
In the Red Cross of Montenegro are willing respond to calls of counterparts from Macedonia and Serbia and organise raising funds and other aid.
For the time being, they have not received any call
“Of course, we monitor the situation. If we receive an appeal to launch a humanitarian campaign we will certainly do it. They have not done that so far and in that sense we did not have any reason to launch a humanitarian campaign in Montenegro,” Milica Kovacevic, PR of the Red Cross Montenegro said.
The Islamic Community in Montenegro has urged believers to help refugees in accordance with their material capacities, regardless of their faith. The Community communicated that the problem of refugees from Syria represented one of the biggest tests of morality and democratic values of the modern world.
While waiting possible initiating a campaign and collection of humanitarian aid for refugees, the gruesome images of their suffering prompted Omer Sarkic from Podgorica to express his revolt against the EU policy towards this issue in front of the EU headquarters in Podgorica.
As he said for the RFE, he did that as a parent and someone who could not remain indifferent to the suffering which even children have not been spared of.
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was the photo of the lifeless body of that child from Syria lying on the beach in Bodrum. After that I could not sleep and I felt that I need to do something, but did not know what or how. I just published on Facebook, without consulting anyone, that would protest there at 3PM because in this situation I cannot describe in polite words the behaviour of the Western civilization that calls for democracy and boasts with humanity,” Mr Sarkic said.
The NGO Civic Alliance (GA) sent letters to the EU ambassadors in Montenegro calling on their countries to forget the politics and help those who need help in the midst of the refugee crisis.
Boris Raonic has called on the citizens of Montenegro to organise themselves and collect aid for refugees.
“We have seen that throughout the EU citizens are organising, bringing food and even raising funds. Therefore, all those people who feel bad about this situation need to do something concrete, since it is not enough to share posts on social networks. There are many platforms for raising funds, as well as other ways to help – such as donating food, clothes and medicines,” Mr Raonic concluded.
