02 May 1999

FACT SHEET: KOSOVO HUMANITARIAN UPDATE, MAY 2, 1999

(Based on information from U.S. Government sources) (250)

(The following Fact Sheet was released May 2.)

(begin Fact Sheet)

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE

Kosovo Task Force

Sunday, May 2, 1999

POPULATION MOVEMENTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

A total of 6,300 refugees arrived in Albania from Kosovo, as well as
7,900 in Albania, for a total of 14,200 new refugees. In the same
period, Australia took 169 refugees from Macedonia, Belgium took 177,
France 150, and the Netherlands 151, for a total of 647 departures.

FRENCH AND CANADIANS PLEDGE MORE AID TO MACEDONIA

French Prime Minister Jospin pledged an additional $26 million worth
of aid during a visit to Macedonia May 1. Canadian Foreign Minister
Axworthy pledged an additional C$35 million for refugee assistance and
C$10 million in economic help during a visit the same day.

SERBS DEPORT MORE THOUSANDS FROM PRIZREN

Serb forces deported thousands of ethnic Albanians from the city of
Prizren on Saturday in what the United Nations said was the second day
of an operation to depopulate the largest town in southern Kosovo.
Staffan de Mistura, special envoy for the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR), said up to 13,000 refugees were likely to be
expelled during the course of the day. De Mistura said UNHCR
anticipated about 50,000 people would be forced over the border in
coming days before Prizren was completely deserted.

(end Fact Sheet)