Gouillon: French Christmas humanitarian convoy has arrived in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE  - The 56th French Christmas convoy has arrived in Kosovo-Metohija, the Solidarity for Kosovo humanitarian organisation has announced, noting that, over the course of seven days, French volunteers would be handing out aid to households and schools in Serb enclaves in Kosovo-Metohija.

Solidarity for Kosovo founder Arnaud Gouillon said that, like in previous years, the French volunteers had taken vacation from work and travelled more than 2,000 km to deliver aid to Serbs living in enclaves.

"This year, our volunteers will visit places in Kosovsko Pomoravlje in central Kosovo, as well as villages in Metohija and on Mt Sara. They will travel hundreds and hundreds of kilometres to distribute dozens of livestock (sheep and goats), stoves and household appliances. New clothes, footwear, school supplies and toys will be distributed to children," Gouillon said.

He said the volunteers would visit several village schools to deliver new blackboards and equipment.

"It will be a lot of work but all of our hearts will be even fuller once when we finish the convoy and show families in the enclaves the most important thing - that they are not alone," Gouillon said.

Gouillon, who has been banned from entering Kosovo-Metohija since 2018, said the foundation continued to work in spite of that to provide assistance to those the most in need.

"Year by year, we have more and more donors from France. Thanks to them, we renovate schools, playgrounds, outpatient offices and monasteries and organise summer holidays and Christmas convoys for children," he said.

The Solidarity for Kosovo humanitarian convoys were established 21 years ago.

To date, hundreds of French volunteers have visited Kosovo-Metohija, delivering more than 700 t of aid to people living in enclaves.