Nikšić: Urgent help to Roma and Egyptians

The Center for Roma Initiatives warned that there are a certain number of families in Nikšić who live by begging and collecting secondary raw materials and who are in a difficult financial situation.

"They are starving, and everyone refers them to the Center for Roma Initiatives for help. However, the Organization does not have the means to provide them with at least basic food for life. This situation does not exclude Roma and Egyptian families in Podgorica, Bijelo Polje, Tivat, Bar and Berane. We must not allow certain Roma and Egyptian families to starve in such difficult times, where as a society we should show solidarity and approach everyone equally", said Fana Delija, executive coordinator of the Center for Roma Initiatives.

She also warned that the children of the Roma and Egyptian population are not able to follow the lessons that are currently taking place online and reminded that the NGO "Mladi Romi" sent a letter to the Government, and one of the measures is to provide members of the RE community with free Internet. They also supported the mentioned initiative.

"Otherwise, more than 90 percent of children from the Roma and Egyptian community will be deprived of this already formal process of education (informal in normal conditions), and will not be able to follow classes remotely. We are additionally concerned by the fact that more than 80 percent of parents are illiterate and will not be able to help their children, nor do they understand their obligations," said Delija.

She said that Roma and Egyptian volunteers are ready to help students through Viber groups by class in order to overcome the mentioned problems, and all for the benefit of the children.

"If the aforementioned communities remain without the Internet, they will not be able to provide this type of assistance. It is also alarming that since the entry into force of preventive measures by the Government of Montenegro, the workers of the utility company perform their duties without protective equipment, and we are aware of the fact that 90 percent of the workers of the utility company are representatives of the Roma and Egyptian communities, and they lead to danger above all to yourself, your children and extended family as well as other citizens, bearing in mind that one of the protection measures is maintaining hygiene. As we are aware of the situation and the state's inability to meet all demands, we appeal for the urgent disinfection of Roma and Egyptian settlements if we are not already able to provide them with basic means for disinfection and protection," said Delija.