RETURNEE FAMILY RECEIVES AID FROM SRPSKA GOVERNMENT

MOSTAR, SEPTEMBER 22 /SRNA/ - The Government of Republika Srpska has approved BAM 15,000 for the repair of the roof of the Bovan returnee family, who were left without a roof over their heads after a recent storm in Mostar, said Davor Čordaš, Director of the Republic Secretariat for Displaced Persons and Migration.

He added that the funds will be provided through the Secretariat. Čordaš said that Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić requested immediate intervention, and that the Republika Srpska Office in Mostar appealed for assistance for the family who had been left without a roof over their heads. "There is a bedridden elderly woman in the family, and the house itself is in very poor condition. The funds will be used to repair the roof, after which we will see what else may be needed. The craftsmen have already started the work, and the money will be paid directly to Mirjana Bovan," said Čordaš. According to him, the City of Mostar will also allocate certain funds to help renovate the house and bring it into decent condition. The Bovan family lost the roof over their heads in the storm that hit Mostar on September 10. The house, which had still not been fully repaired after being destroyed in the war, was devastated by the storm. Eighty-four-year-old Mirjana Bovan, who is bedridden, and her household members were left without a roof over their heads and without everything they had in the house. The storm tore off the roof, and heavy rain poured inside. Everything was destroyed, from the floors to the ceiling, including the furniture. Mirjana's daughter, Gordana, said that work began as soon as they received confirmation that the funds had been approved. "We are endlessly grateful to the Government of Republika Srpska and the Office of Republika Srpska in Mostar for responding immediately. This gesture brings us immense joy, especially for my mother, who was among the first to return to Mostar back in 1999. At that time, the house was rebuilt thanks to a donation, but the storm took its toll. Thank God my mother can now sleep peacefully. She has wonderful neighbors and wants to spend her remaining days here," Gordana said. In recent days, neighbors and relatives have gathered at the Bovan home to help clear the property and prepare it for repairs. Gordana hopes that the funds will be sufficient to cover the repair of the roof and sheet metal work, as well as one window and some additional work inside the house. "If we manage to use the money to finish the painting, that will be great; if not, we're satisfied with what has already been done. The important thing is that the roof and electricity have been taken care of. Other Serbian organizations have also reached out, as well as the `Serbs for Serbs` organization, which offered to help us with household appliances," Gordana said. She also expressed her gratitude to the parish priest from Bijelo Polje, as well as to the many people who came to the house, visited her mother, and helped as much as they could.