Latcho Dives

This program is aimed at survivors of the genocide against the Roma in the Republic of Moldova and in Ukraine. These people frequently live in poverty, are socially excluded and marginalized as well as discriminated against. The EVZ Foundation gives survivors access to existing medical, social and other services. In this way, they and their relatives suffer less material hardship and their health is more stable. They participate in social life and feel valued. Until recently, the survivors of the genocide against the Roma were among the "forgotten victims" of National Socialist persecution. There is hardly any support for them, either in their home countries or internationally.

These objectives are to be achieved with various project activities:

For the immediate needs of elderly roma:
 

  • Activities to improve the physical and mental health of survivors
  • Advice and support for access to state benefits
  • Services which help survivors in their daily lives according to their needs
  • Opportunities for social participation, in particular for less mobile or non-mobile survivors

 

For the strengthening of families, helpers and carers of the elderly roma:
 

  • Training and counselling for nursing relatives, voluntary helpers and professionals
  • Advising and mentoring local Roma leaders, self-organizations or initiatives in the administration and implementation of social projects for elderly Roma
  • Activities to improve cooperation between experts and local organizations, administration, etc.
  • Strengthening of the local Roma community, especially relatives of survivors, e.g. by vocational training with subsequent employment in the project; support for self-sufficiency with agricultural products

Comprehensive support for 80 survivors of the genocide of Roma in Belarus

What does the EVZ Foundation intend to achieve with the project?

The living conditions of elderly Roma survivors in the Belarusian regions of Gomel, Minsk, Bobruisk and Mogilev are to be improved by material aid such as food, hygiene products, medicines or heating material. Legal advice makes for easier access to health, social and legal services for survivors and their families. Spiritual counseling and an emergency phone help to stabilize their mental health. The dialog between generations and the willingness to help within the Roma community is promoted by historical eyewitness interviews and the deployment of volunteers. Enhanced interaction between the Roma and the majority society as well as a newly established website, increase recognition and respect for the Roma national minority.

Who’s involved, and who does the project reach?

The Roma self-organization "Romano Drom" from the Gomel region provides multifaceted support for approximately 80 survivors of the genocide against the Roma in 16 Belarusian municipalities. The young Roma volunteers involved in the project receive training in elderly care and legal matters. Representatives of the majority society meet living historical eyewitnesses, visit public commemoration events and thus learn about the history and culture of the Belarusian Roma.

Why is the Foundation supporting this project in particular?

In recent years, this project sponsor has developed from a small initiative into a professional NGO. It enjoys a high degree of trust among the Roma communities in more and more Belarusian regions. The implementation of the project is the only possibility for the EVZ Foundation – especially in times of pandemic and on account of the difficult political situation – to provide need-based and survival-oriented aid to the elderly Roma.

Project sponsor: Romano Drom
Duration of the project: 2021 - 2023
Funding amount: EUR 55,000
Funding country: Belarus

Project Finder

Didn't find the project or curious to discover more?

Click here for the project finder

 

Contact people

Dr. Valentina Valtchuk

Senior Project Manager

Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-47
E-Mail: valtchuk@stiftung-evz.de

Daria Yemtsova

Senior Project Manager

Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-83
E-Mail: yemtsova@stiftung-evz.de