WELL FED ONE DOES NOT BELIEVE HUNGRY ONE
10.02.2012
In emergency conditions, the consequences of natural disasters caused by snowfall and very cold temperatures, after the practice acquired through a one-year project "Strengthening of municipal capacity to improve the quality of life of socially vulnerable groups," President of Palilula Municipality, PhD Igor Novakovic and member of the Municipal Council Boban Mikic visited the socially vulnerable, old and infirm people, disabled people and the third age, who are not mobile and depend on assistance. The first visit was to a couple Zlatanović in Mramorski Potok, then to eight member family of Snezana Kostic in Trebinjska street. Packages with food and blankets were distributed to households of Ljiljana Krstic, Slavka Stanković Suzana Mihajlovic, Radmila Kurtešević, Suzana Radovanovic, Emina Demirovic and Ružica Randjelovic.

SUCH LIFE IS UNOWORTHY

The first time we came to this family, we could not believe what we found-said PhD Igor Novakovic, president of Palilula. Husband and wife were functionally illiterate, so we trained them how to exercise their rights and how to Dobrivoje can give insulin to Slobodanka, who is a sugar disease patient. We have provided the issuance of personal documents and reported them to the Center for Social Work. Now they are receiving social assistance money and they are living from it. We have provided access to electricity since this household for many years lived in the dark, without electricity. We drove them to the doctor for a check and we donated three cubic meters of firewood. But what kind is this situation, said the president Novakovic, I think we'll have to bring them again firewood. As you can see this house is about to collapse any moment now. The couple, until they are reported with health problems, worked as day laborers, and so made for a living.

We have made great progress that, as a local organization, we are dealing with taking into account the situation of every household in Palilula. We have strengthened our capabilities and capacities through one year Exchange 3 year program, supported by the SKGO and the European Union. On this occasion we brought to Zlatanović family food packages to literally be able to survive this winter. We brought them blankets to warm up. Hereby I would like to thank the Red Cross for donating basic food items, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for the fuel that we shared with the traders who activated their mechanization in cleaning snow in the municipal territory. Also to Gerontology Center, that donated 100 blankets, Fund "Art of Giving" of Company Philip Morris and in this humane action is never been absent. Many have activities have been started but again we see that there are families that live in conditions unworthy of man in the 21 century. It's hard to be a man in these circumstances, where the fed one does not believe the hungry one, then we arrive at the paradoxical situation where those who have nothing help and those who have everything seem to live on another planet, concluded the president of municipality, PhD Igor Novakovic.

I hardly am surviving this difficult winter-says Dobrivoje Zlatanović from Mramorski Potok. When I have money I buy something to eat when you have nothing, there is nothing to eat then. Sometimes they give us the package help. The last two months we have not received them. I thank to the president and the Municipality of Palilula since they only take care of us. Since winter is here I am hardly stepping out, I just go to neighborhood for water. Last night it was difficult for me and I could not go because I am a heart patient. I need to have surgery and I cannot (Slobodanka) leave alone. No one visits us. We have three daughters. They are all married and have their problems. One lives in Belgrade, a widow with two children and a low salary, the other is married in Tešica and is sick and a third in Rozina and has a sick husband and family and can not leave them so that we manage ourselves. I am to repair this house when it gets warmer a little but it's not a solution because this land bursts. When the time is nicer I'm going to do some light work to earn some money. My wife Slobodanka most of the time is in bed and is rarely out of the house. She is a sugar disease patient and her kidneys are damaged.

Winter is difficult to endure, says old woman Snezana Kostic from Trebinje street in Nis. I sleep in a room at minus 20 degrees. My grandson is disabled and we make only his room warmer. I live with two married daughters, one with three and the other four members. We do not have a lot, but we do not have particularly bathroom. We have a toilet but no water inside. It is very difficult to sustain eight family members with 15 thousand says this seventy-year-old woman. The house is of made of soil and I fear that because of heavy snow falling the roof will fall off too.

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION HAS STRENGTHENED OWN CAPACITIES

In the past, with the realization of projects of supporting vulnerable population of Palilula and cooperation with the Center for Social Work "Sveti Sava", Palilula mobile teams visited and provided assistance to over 4000 people registered and disadvantaged families. The fire wood for the whole winter, three cubic meters of firewood was also provided for the 5o most vulnerable families. A number of citizens is perceived and by assisting in basic foodstuffs and household chemical products.

Palilula Municipality took over all the available activities on its territory to repair the consequences of natural disasters. Municipal Administration of Palilula provided continuous-duty work in the Contact Center - INFO 48 in (24 hours on duty). Palilula Citizens can call on phone 0800 234567; SMS to number 4826 or via e-mail info48@palilula.eu and apply and report specific problem that happens in the family-settlement due to snowfall. Utility inspection duty of 24 hours and with the relevant departments and public utility companies is constantly solving existing problems in the terrain. This proved to be very important especially in emergency conditions.