HELP opened its office in Montenegro 's capital, Podgorica, in April 1999 during the height of the crisis in Kosovo. 1999 was a tumultuous year for humanitarian organizations working in Montenegro . Beneficiary profiles and numbers changed dramatically, from a peak influx of over 84,000 Kosovar Albanian IDPs in May, to their sudden and massive return in July, followed by a second influx of Serbian, Montenegrin, and Roma IDPs as a result of continued unrest in Kosovo. From the start of its operations in Montenegro until May 2001 HELP provided a wide range of humanitarian assistance such as food, hygienic items and the like.
Later on HELP adjusted its programmes to the developments and needs in the country. After the initial phase that had focused on the Kosovar displaced subsequent programmes aimed at supporting displaced persons from Kosovo, refugees from the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the socially disadvantaged groups in Montenegro . The changing needs also required a change in HELP's programmes. Humanitarian emergency aid was replaced by programmes aiming at rehabilitation and self-reliance (for more details link to project list)
Rehabilitation projects were geared towards improving the housing situation of displaced persons and refugees and also included some of Montenegro 's social cases both in private accommodations and collective centers. On the other hand rehabilitation focused on the repair of public buildings such as kindergartens, schools and libraries. The latter programmes had become possible through funding provided by the German government for the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe : public buildings were repaired in the cities of Ulcinj and Kotor. The basis of this support was the project partnership with the German towns of Kehl am Rhein and Wülfrath as the Stability Pact had stipulated closer contacts between the people of Europe and those in Serbia and Montenegro . Being present in Montenegro HELP could greatly facilitate the contacts between Kotor and Kehl am Rhein as well as between Ulcinj and Wülfrath. HELP continues this role as mediator and is about to implement another programme in Ulcinj. It is hoped that the partnerships with the German towns will develop into fully-fledged city partnership arrangements.
The start of HELP's self-reliance programme in summer 2001 is an important landmark away from traditional humanitarian assistance towards longer- term economic rehabilitation/development assistance. A feasibility study commissioned by HELP in spring 2001 had already shown that new job opportunities and own income generation were the main route for improving the socio-economic status of IDP, refugee and social cases households in Montenegro . In the second half of 2001 HELP provided more than 250 IDPs, refugees and social cases with material inputs that allowed them to start their own small business activities – and thus providing them with an alternative to further dependence on humanitarian assistance. The programme was a huge success and was resumed in 2003.
June 2002 saw the start of HELP's communal infrastructure programme in Podgorica. Under this programme the main sewage collector was built linking two settlements with hitherto mainly illegally built houses to Podgorica's sewage system. The project comprised the legalisation of land tenure thus providing long-term durable housing solutions for many of the settlements IDP and refugee households. At the same time HELP carried out a feasibility study for an area-upgrading scheme for the two settlements focusing on an extension of infrastructure, provision of housing improvement loans, and the generation of an estimated additional 1,000 housing plots (through “re-blocking”) for use by other locally needy families and refugees, for which the project will provide building materials packages. In regularising the land layout, the project will effectively protect environmentally sensitive areas, such as drinking water wells and woodlands (which are currently being encroached upon by the irregular settlement patterns). The beneficiary families will purchase their plots from the municipality through an instalment payment scheme. Building materials will be provided on credit with long-term repayment options.
HELP will continue to play a very active role in all aspects that are suitable to improve the life of Montenegrin citizens, IDPs and refugees alike in the country. HELP acknowledges that it would not have been in a position to provide the assistance to Montenegro without the support of its international donors: the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Union, Italian ARCOBALENO, the German Foreign Ministry and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. Among HELP's international partners are also to be named the German towns of Kehl am Rhein and Wülfrath as well as the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe .
Where feasible HELP seeks the cooperation of local partners for the implementation of its programmes; recently HELP has cooperated with the Society for the Protection of Animals and the Public Utilities Company ( recycling programme ). The construction of communal infrastructure in Podgorica is done together with the city of Podgorica , which has at the same time taken responsibility in funding parts of the programme.
In 2003 HELP implemented a major housing project “ Construction of 950 square meter living space for Serbian refugees in Podgorica” with financial assistance from the
German Foreign Ministry. 24 new apartments were built for Serbian refugees in order to provide long-term and durable housing solutions for them and allow them to fully integrate into the local society.
With the completion of construction of a primary school in Tuzi HELP could in 2003 also continue its communal infrastructure programme thus providing much needed educational facilities for the Albanian minority in this community.
Finally income-generating activities, the crucial element of HELP's self-reliance programme in Montenegro were continued. 90 micro-businesses received HELP's assistance between May and November 2003.
Humanitarian assistance was provided to some 4.500 persons during the winter period. Winterization assistance included basic food, ovens, hygienic items as well as firewood, coal and heating oil for residents of collective centers.
In 2004 another housing project will be implemented focusing on the displaced Roma population presently residing in the Konik camp and it is also foreseen to continue the income-generating projects.
