prijava
SARAJEVO, April 8 (FENA) - The association 'Kali Sara - Roma Information Center' has called on representatives of the state government in Bosnia and Herzegovina to urgently adopt a state budget for 2020 so that a state grant to address Roma issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina would become operational, as well as urgent humanitarian intervention by all levels of government in addressing the current existential problems of the most vulnerable families.
"We appeal to you, when creating economic programs, in combating the consequences of the pandemic, to include the funds for the socio-economic problems of Roma," emphasized 'Kali Sara', on the occasion of April 8 - International Romani Day.
With the message, 'Be Healthy, Stay at Home', the association stressed that 'now that the COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem, the response of the BiH institutions and concern for the socially most vulnerable categories of citizens, especially when it comes to the Roma, is insufficient.
"We appealed to the BiH institutions and international organizations about the state of the Roma community. To this appeal, international and Roma NGOs responded and channeled funds towards the most vulnerable, poorest families who are their project beneficiaries, including Roma families. These funds are also limited," the association said.
They further state that "the entity governments have no defined policies in their plans to combat the effects of the pandemic, nor are they considering developing policies to assist the Roma community, although they have been informed in a timely manner in what conditions Roma people currently live."
"Today, 50 years on, Roma in an ethnically divided BiH face racism and discrimination, be it in education, employment, health care or housing. All the efforts of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the socio-economic integration of the Roma community are still limited by lack of political will and insufficient financial resources," emphasized the 'Kali Sara' association.
(FENA) S. R.
