MINELRES: IOM humanitarian assistance for Roma in Central/Eastern Europe

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Valeria Bodoczky <VBODOCZKY@iom.int>


Dear Organizations,

Humanitarian and Social Programmes (HSP) for Roma survivors of Nazi
persecution

As you may be aware, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
has been designated under the Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation (Swiss
Banks) to administer humanitarian assistance for needy, elderly
survivors of Nazi persecution who were persecuted by the Nazi regime
because they were or were believed to be Roma, Jehovah's Witness,
physically or mentally disabled, or homosexual.
 
Under the German Foundation Act, IOM has likewise been appointed to
administer social programmes for the benefit of Sinti and Roma who were
victims of National Socialist injustice in accordance with the German
Forced Labour Compensation Programme (GFLCP).

I am writing to ask for any advice or suggestions you might have that
could help HSP identify needy potential beneficiaries in all European
countries. Please do not forward this letter to potential beneficiaries
as it is crucial to not unduly raise survivor expectations before
potential service providers have been identified and levels of need and
persecution have been determined. Further, IOM would like to know
whether your organization could participate in providing HSP assistance
to survivors, as referred to below, or whether you would be aware of
appropriate organizations that we may contact.

HSP activities will be implemented primarily in Eastern and Central
Europe where needs have been determined to be greatest. Depending on
specific programme parameters, humanitarian and social assistance may
include food, medical and dental care, home care, winter assistance,
clothing, social and legal assistance and accommodation. Wherever
possible IOM seeks to fund projects carried out by service providers
experienced in working with the beneficiary groups in the
above-mentioned region. Of course, individual beneficiary information is
treated confidentially.

Thank you very much in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Valeria Bodoczky
GFLCP/HVAP, Humanitarian and Social
Programmes, IOM
E-mail: vbodoczky@iom.int