International Children’s Day, 20 November, was marked today by planting trees in Konik settlement in Podgorica. This action was aimed at improving quality of life and raising awareness of the members of Roma and Egyptian community.
Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Mr Kemal Purišić, said that providing accommodation was one of key elements for local integration of displaced and internally displaced persons.
“Currently, 219 families live in newly built apartments. Around 738 children go to elementary schools. Number of children who attend secondary school is on the rise too. Residents of Konik have their legal status settled, access to healthcare protection and access to rights related to social and children’s protection, labor market and employment”, pointed out Mr Purišić.
Strategic goal is to raise children in peace, security, and provide them with possibilities for learning, developing their potentials and integrating into society.
Head of the EU delegation in Montenegro, Mr Aivo Orav, said that the youngest ones deserved to live in healthy environment and enjoy all rights guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Montenegro has recorded considerable progress in the implementation of programs. Around 431 vulnerable families will get new home by the end of 2019. The remaining 250 families are expected to obtain homes in 2020 and 2021. However, we still need to work a lot on securing full integration of this vulnerable community into Montenegrin society”, said Mr Orav.
Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Mr Mehmed Zenka, said that construction of new apartments had considerably improved living conditions.
Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr Nikola Antović, added that residents of camp in Konik had healthcare protection at their disposal.
