Institution for disabled is given extra support during the corona pandemic

The poorest, most vulnerable people in Europa have been hit hard by the current pandemic. Loza Foundation is dedicating extra resources to alleviate the consequences for the residents at the Demir Kapija Institution in North Macedonia. Not only within the framework of the ongoing EU project, but also with additional support activities.

“During the summer, we transferred some of the project resources to finance protective equipment, but the employees at this institution are overworked, exhausted and several are on sick leave. This has forced us to initiate parallel measures to assist them with support staff, reduce the workload and improve the quality of the health care”, says Sabina Grubbeson, founder of Loza Foundation. 

The corona pandemic has been utterly challenging for both the residents and the staff members at Special Institution in Demir Kapija. The TIMOR project funded by EU has an aim of moving the patients with disabilities to more humane community-based living conditions and this is still progressing according to plan, but additional efforts are needed.

”Several of the residents at Special Institution in Demir Kapija are at risk as they have underlying pulmonary diseases and this, in turn, requires new ways of working during the pandemic. The staff members have also got very challenging working conditions, and some have even been signed off sick due to their underlying illnesses.”

The additional support staff that are being recruited are absolutely necessary in order to give the existing personnel some much-needed relief and at the same time, increase the overall quality of the health care provided at Demir Kapija. Loza Foundation has therefore decided to fund three support staff for three months.

“Donating on a monthly basis to Loza Foundation or even a single, one-off gift will help the residents of this institution a great deal and will also help EU-project TIMOR to proceed as planned.”

Read more: EU grant to Loza Foundation – Demir Kapija-residents can finally move out from the institution

Loza Foundation is working for the most vulnerable people in the poorest countries; the hidden, forgotten areas and citizens of Europe. Thanks to kind donations from private individuals as well as companies, Loza can carry out concrete, hands-on projects in the field, where it is most needed.

 

 

A brief outline of TIMOR, a project funded by the EU

TIMOR stands for Together for Introduction of More Opportunities and Respect and is supposed to run for a period of three years. Its purpose is to move people with disabilities to more humane conditions in community-based group residences, educate personal health-care assistants and use information about people with disabilities to increase general awareness in society, which will help to prevent prejudice and opposition.

 

Emergency aid to vulnerable, exposed groups in the corona crisis – aid packages desperately needed in North Macedonia

Loza Foundation is now switching focus to the effects of COVID-19 and is busy fundraising to be able to carry out emergency relief efforts targeting the most vulnerable, exposed groups in North Macedonia. The poor and the infirm have been hit the hardest in this global crisis.

“Our aid is needed more than ever”, says Sabina Grubbeson, founder and Secretary-General of Loza Foundation.

It does not seem as though COVID-19 is likely to leave Europe in a hurry, and North Macedonia is no exception. As a precaution to stop the virus from spreading further, the government has decided to shut all schools and these measures are extremely tough on the poorer families.

Because of the current situation, Loza Foundation has chosen to partner up with local organisation Dendo Vas and the municipality of Suto Orizari in Skopje to offer assistance and aid to one of the biggest Romani ghettos in Europe.

“These are people that have no other way of supporting themselves but to beg, gather plastic and scrap metal for recycling, or picking up rubbish. At school, the children learn about hygiene, how to behave and function in society regardless of their domestic arrangements. When the schools shut, the children and their families lose a vital element of safety and security.

As things stand, the emergency funding is supposed to help 80 people in desperate need of aid. The aid packages will contain tinned food and rice, as well as personal hygiene products such as soap and shampoo. Initially, Loza Foundation needs to raise 5,600 Euros for aid parcels, which will be distributed over the next two months.

“In times of crisis, it is even more important that we do our bit for the poorest and most vulnerable, exposed groups in society. Thanks to Dendo Vas, we will be able to distribute the aid packages without delay in Suto Orizari. Then we will move on to other areas, such as Prilep and Bitola, which are also in dire need of assistance. Our work here must go on”, says Sabina Grubbeson.

 

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