Mitrovic stated, “That’s their first objective, to safeguard their health, and to try to locate some shelter or advocate for them with government shelter to get accommodated.” “And, secondly, and more importantly, to search for a long-term or short-term solution.”
Mitrovic explained that vulnerable groups like the homeless, who are already without income, have had their options limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased social gaps. This has contributed to their isolation, especially during the period of near-total lockdown last year.
Mitrovic stated that even the smallest opportunities in social life, such as collecting or using secondary waste, were reduced drastically.
Slavko Antonic (64), who claimed he was a former pilot from Bosnia told the AP that pandemic restrictions prevented him from returning to Prijedor, a northwest town, where he had a small disability income from being injured during the 1990s war.
Antonic presented a copy of his Bosnian identification and said that he no longer has the money or means to travel. He lives in an abandoned camper trailer without running water or electricity. Antonic stated that he has leftovers at a nearby restaurant and can clean himself thanks to ADRA’s bus.
He said, “I’ve given up. I never thought that I would ask for money. But now, I do and good people give it to me.” “I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore.”
