Algeria to donate USD 500,000 for post-flood effort

Algeria to donate USD 500,000 for post-flood effort

BELGRADE -- A memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday on an Algerian government donation worth USD 500,000 for reconstruction Serbia's water management sector.

The memorandum was signed by the head of the Serbian Government Office for Reconstruction and Flood Relief, Marko Blagojevicć, and Algerian Ambassador to Serbia Abdelkader Mesdoua.

The grant will be used to rebuild damaged and destroyed flood protection infrastructure in Valjevo, Negotin, Zaječar and Ćuprija.

Reconstruction works in the water management sector is a priority for the government and "we are finally starting to deal with prevention, rather than just recovery," Blagojević said.

"Through a financial aid program, the government has so far invested more than RSD 3.84 billion in rebuilding damaged facilities for 16,112 families - 218 houses are under construction, while 80 families have received money rather than having houses built for them," Blagojević said.

"The assistance from Algeria, as well as assistance from other donors, who have so far invested RSD 600 million, will contribute significantly to improving the safety of citizens across Serbia," he noted.

As early as next week, the government of Algeria will start transferring the funds to the account of the Serbian government, and it is up to the Serbian government to decide about the priorities and where to invest the money, Ambassador Mesdoua said.

Serbia and Algeria have been friendly countries for several decades and the Algerian people cannot forget what the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia did for Algeria, the ambassador said, adding that he wants the friendship to become even...