Refugees from Kosovo and Metohia in Raška in the Second World War

• Main Author: Simijanović Jovan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Serbian Culture Priština, Leposavić 2011-01-01
• Series: Baština
• Subjects: studenički district; second world war; refugees; kosovo and metohia; raška district
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-9008/2011/0353-90081131233S.pdf
• ISSN: 0353-9008; 2683-5797

The author states that Studenički District was from May 1941 a shelter and transition space for a number of refugees from Kosovo-Metohian District. There was the influx of refugees from other parts too. A considerable current of the forced immigrants were moving from adjacent districts in the frame of Kosovskomitrovački District (which was under Serbia from formal point of view), and border parts of Studenički District. Even in the spring of 1941 an overwhelming number of refugees becomes a serious problem of the District, and the town of Raška a most. A constant influx was being continued until the liberation in 1944. Raška was relatively small settlement, which became one of the most important gathering centres thanks to its geographic position. As per some sources, even 80% of the population were unproductive, and mostly were refugees. German occupation authorities wished to set free from refugees as a burden, and problem sources for their military administration several times. Refugees were assisted by the Commissariat for Refugees founded by Quisling's authorities from that time. Regarding some refugees'-related problems solving district's and municipalities administrative bodies were being set in motion. By the row of orders of district's and municipality's prefecture accommodation, alimentation and health protection of refugees were being regulated.