Despite the number of cases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro remaining lower than in other neighbouring countries in the region, the social and economic consequences have severely affected Roma communities in all the ROMACTED municipalities since early March 2020.

Whilst the emergency aid interventions have helped in tackling the most urgent needs of Roma communities, especially related to food items and hygiene kits, social isolation has represented a challenge for all Roma settlements, especially in terms of the economic situation of single families and individuals. Women and other vulnerable categories have been at risk in particular.

So far, ROMACTED has managed to support almost 300 families in the municipalities of Tivat, Bar, Ulcinj and Nikšić providing approximately 20 000kg of different commodities (mainly food and hygiene items) in collaboration with local authorities, and international and local organisations such as the Montenegrin Red Cross and other local NGOs working with Roma communities. In addition to this, actions including the purchase of water tanks and other essential equipment have been carried out during the lockdown period in municipalities like Bijelo Polje, Berane and Bar.

These specific contingency measures have also contributed to reinforcing and improving contacts among Roma members and active volunteers, in order to effectively reach more individuals and families in need within Roma settlements. Thus, the ROMACTED activities continued in order to monitor the situation through regular contacts with facilitators under the co-ordination of ROMACTED Focal Point.

Since the first immediate emergency actions were not sufficient to cover all needs, ROMACTED has recently activated further measures for supporting Roma communities through a second installment of financial resources. These are aimed at consolidating the response to the needs which are still emerging from the communities in every partner municipality.

Even though the Covid-19 situation is slowly improving at national level, the needs of the Roma population still require additional support. The ROMACTED Programme will therefore continue its action in this regard in the months to come.