Construction of houses earmarked for beneficiaries in the fourth Return and Reintegration of Kosovars phase of the International Organization for Migration-implemented housing project, funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Kosovo’s Ministry for Communities and Return (MCR), is undergoing final stages of work in Istog/Istok, with some of the houses already completed.

The project falls under the European Union - Return and Reintegration in Kosovo, Phase IV (EU-RRK-IV) housing return project.

When the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) visited the construction sites, in Istog/Istok Municipality, Kosovo, of six of the 11 houses being built for beneficiaries earlier this week (10 June), they were informed that the handover of the houses is expected to take place during the forthcoming weeks. It was also reported that an IOM contractor will deliver furniture and house utensils upon completion of all 11 houses.

Acknowledging and welcoming the rapid progress that has been made in the construction of the houses, Jorge Baca, IOM Chief of Mission, Kosovo said: “Ensuring a long sustainable return is the most gratifying task I have experienced in my more than 5 years in Kosovo. I will be soon leaving Kosovo with the feeling of Mission accomplished by ensuring a consistent delivery and maximization of resources made available by the Donors.”

During the visit, one K-Serb and one K-Egyptian beneficiary families expressed their gratitude and commended the stakeholders involved in the EU-RRK-IV for the swift construction process and the high quality of the houses.

The beneficiaries of the first phase of the project include seven currently displaced K-Serb families, five originating from Osojan/Osojane, one from Dragolec/Dragoljevac and one from Tuçep/Tučep villages as well as four K-Egyptian families from Zallq/Žač village.

For further information, please contact Jorge Baca at IOM Kosovo, Tel:  +381 38 249 040, E-mail: jbaca@iom.int