Kosovo Crisis Fact Sheet 44. OFDA, (05 May 1999)

Source: http://www.info.usaid.gov/hum_response/ofda/kosofs44.html
Accessed 06 May 1999

Kosovo Crisis
Fact Sheet #44
May 5, 1999

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID)
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Regional: Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kosovo

*Country*	Total Refugees	Entries in last 24 hrs	Departures in last 24 hrs
Albania	404,200	7,900	None
Macedonia	211,340	8,400	1,130
Montenegro	61,700	None	200

*All numbers are estimates from UNHCR Headquarters. These numbers are constantly changing and being verified.

Albania

UNHCR headquarters estimates that there are 404,200 refugees in Albania. Approximately 7,200 refugees from Kosovo entered Albania at the Morini border crossing over the last 24 hours. 700 refugees entered Albania from Montenegro at the Hani I Hotit border crossing on May 4.
The GOA reports that approximately 111,000 refugees remain in Albania's northern districts. 3,260 refugees moved from Kukës prefecture to the southern and central regions of the country on May 4. To date, an estimated total of 304,254 refugees have been transferred from Kukës.
According to the EMG, the current relief operation can only accommodate an influx of 3,000 - 4,000 refugees per day.
The Qafi I Prushit border crossing near Krumë remains closed due to insecurity in the area. The DART reports that on May 4 an Albanian national was killed by shelling from FRY forces in the village of Letaj along the Albania-Kosovo border.
FRY forces are also reportedly digging trenches about 15 meters inside Albanian territory in the Has District.
Camp security is a continuing concern, particularly in Kukës and Korcë. Criminal activity and disruptions during food distribution at these refugee camps have been reported. NGOs have requested more protection in camps.
NATO has 7,000 personnel in Albania. NATO's four main objectives are to: increase the flow of aid into the country by making improvements at Rinas airport and at the Durrës seaport; provide road and air transportation of humanitarian relief commodities and refugees; build new camps, including those planned for Vlora, Fieri, Elbasan and Korcë with a combined capacity of 38,500; and upgrade roads, starting with the Puke-Kukës road.
The United States European Command (EUCOM) has directed the construction of a second refugee camp in Albania to temporarily house up to 20,000 refugees. Construction contract support will utilize Albanian workforce and equipment to the maximum extent possible. Final site selection is being closely coordinated through the U.S. Embassy, the GOA, USAID/OFDA, and EUCOM. Furthermore, planning has been approved for the construction of a third refugee camp to temporarily house an additional 20,000.
WHO is calling for a vaccination campaign for TB, measles and polio in Shkodër.
WFP reports that the Government and UNHCR reached agreement on April 4 to support host families. Host families will receive $10 per refugee (up to a maximum of 12 refugees) per month, retroactive to April 15.
WFP reports that 5,000 HDRs have been prepositioned in Mjeda for refugees being relocated by train to areas in southeast Albania. (Refugees are transported by road to Mjeda from Kukës.) HDRs have been delivered to MCI, WFP implementing partner for Shkodër.
WFP and CRS report that the Italians are constructing a new camp for up to 3,000 people in the prefecture of Durrës. Although the camp is not yet completed refugees have started moving in. CRS and WFP will respond to the food needs of the refugees currently in the camp.

Macedonia

UNHCR headquarters estimates that there are currently 211,340 refugees in Macedonia. Over 8,400 refugees entered Macedonia in the last 24 hours, mostly at Blace and Jazince, and a small number at Straza. On May 4, 1,130 refugees departed Macedonia for third countries.
UNHCR's latest report indicates that there are 110,700 refugees in camps in Macedonia, 93,370 refugees registered by Macedonian authorities for refugee status and staying in host families or private accommodations, and 4,020 are gathered in border communities (Straza, Vaksince, Kumanovo, and Lipkovo). ). These numbers may not reflect the actual numbers of refugees at various locations in Macedonia because of incomplete tracking of movements of recent arrivals.
453 refugees are scheduled to arrive today at 1530 in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Designated DOD facilities at Fort Dix will be used as a staging area to link up refugees with their relatives or sponsors.
Sanitation NGOs have limited ability to ensure not only an adequate number of latrines, but spatial standards of latrines to tents, health points, water points, and food points. All camps are fenced and space within the perimeter is practically exhausted. The UNHCR/World Health Organization (WHO) water/sanitation specialist reports that all camps are out of compliance with UNHCR site standards for camp service location.
Sanitation specialists for NGOs and UNHCR are using a planning figure of two liters of sewage generated per person per day. According to the planning figure of 96,700 (camp population on May 3-4), 193,400 liters (or 193.4 cubic meters) of sewage per day will be generated. Thus far, GOM contractors have not had the capacity to pump and transport this amount of sewage to disposal points.
The German contractor, THW, has brought in 3 trucks with a transport capacity of 30 cu. meters. The trucks will be utilized at the Cegrane camp. An additional five trucks are en route to Macedonia. This would bring the transport capacity of sewage to approximately 100-120 cu. meters per day, still far short of the current needs.
According to the UNHCR/WHO water/sanitation specialist and the sanitation officer for IRC, the one disposal location in Macedonia with the capacity to store and dispose of the volume of sewage generated in the large camps is in Ohrid, approximately 180 km southwest of Skopje and 65 km from the nearest camp, Cegrane.
WFP reports that the Macedonian Ministry of Social Policy has registered a total of 66,000 families as social welfare cases. 5,800 of these have been identified as most vulnerable, and will receive food parcels (supplied by INTERSOS) through December 99. The remaining families' needs will be discussed this week.

CAMP NAME	NUMBER OF REFUGEES as of May 5 (0800 local time)
*Stankovac I*	*28,800*
On May 4, 729 refugees departed Stankovac I under UNHCR's humanitarian evacuation program (HEP). On May 1, the DART team leader escorted 20 U.S. Representatives of Congress, including House Majority Leader Richard K. Armey, on a tour of the camp. The representatives spoke with refugees about their experiences in Kosovo and the camp, visited the health center, talked with UNHCR, Catholic Relief Services, and other NGOs, and examined overall camp conditions.
*Stankovac II*	*21,800*
On May 4, there were 1,100 new arrivals at the camp and 249 departures under the HEP.
*Bojane*	*4,600*
Water and sanitation continue to be the main issues of concern in the camp, according to the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC). While current water supply of the 13 liters/person/day meets the needs of the camp at this time, it will be insufficient in warmer weather when water consumption. TRC has asked UNHCR for assistance in improving the camp's supply. The Macedonian police guarding the camp are allowing refugees to go into the town of Bojane to use showers in private houses since showers are not yet operational. The TRC reports its number of health consultations is dropping, although it is concerned about the potential for infectious disease due to overcrowding in the camp. Scabies continues to be a problem due to lack of shower facilities. While the TRC has an adequate supply of basic drugs, some basic medical equipment has been held up at the border in Bulgarian customs.
*Blace Reception Center*	*9,100*
The Blace reception center is rapidly becoming a longer term refugee camp, which concerns NGOs involved at the camp. The UNHCR border field officer reported that on April 29 approximately 6,500 refugees were transported to Cegrane directly from the border, not from the Blace reception center, which is contrary to the purpose of a reception center. Despite strong initial objections from UNHCR, the reception center has expanded. Originally, UNHCR was against the expansion of the site, because of its design as a reception center and because it is dangerously close to the border for a larger/longer term camp. The reception center systems are generally running well, despite the tripling of the center's population. To better organize movement of refugees, UNHCR field officers now maintain a 24-hour presence in the center. More tents will be erected on the lowest area of the camp to accommodate new refugees. Relief agencies view this as a crisis necessity, but not a long term option because of the high water table in the area and its proximity to a stream, making pit latrine construction unfeasible. Latrines have been constructed between the upper and lower portions of the camp. Due to the proximity to the Serbian border, NGOs expressed concern about the security of the refugees in the center. Audible sounds of conflict are a constant part of the environment. Both NGOs and refugees are concerned about Serbian snipers in the hills above the center, although no incident has occurred to date.
*Neprosteno*	*6,900*
No new information.
*Radusa*	*1,300*
Overall conditions at the camp have improved significantly since Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and the Bulgarian military took over management responsibilities from the GOM. The campgrounds are well maintained and clean, and water/sanitation facilities appear adequate at the camp. In order to improve drainage, NCA is working through a Macedonian contractor to re-grade the entire camp and spread more gravel. NCA has provided the town with a pump in order to improve the water supply, because the camp is placing a drain on the town of Radusa's water supply. NCA also reports that a committee is being formed from the camp population that will be responsible for maintaining camp sanitation. The Bulgarian Army continues to provide three hot meals per day and a local NGO provides supplemental milk, fruits, and vegetables. The camp also receives tinned fish and other items from WFP. IOM and UNHCR have begun transporting refugees selected as vulnerable (including pregnant women, young children, and those requiring medical care in the west) from Radusa to the Netherlands. Dutch representatives report that they plan to relocate approximately 150 people per day for a total of about 900 from Radusa camp. MSF/H reports very few health-related problems at the camp, but reports that some refugees, particularly children, need psychosocial counseling. NCA reports excellent cooperation and coordination with the Bulgarians, and no problems with the Macedonian authorities. The Bulgarians have helped NCA set up several of its latrines and prepare new shower facilities. Macedonian police have been very cooperative and have allowed women and children outside of the camp to visit the town to shop and play soccer.
*Radusa Collective Center*	*400*
No new information.
*Senokos*	*2,400*
The amount of open space and area between tents has been greatly reduced at the camp due to overcrowding. Approximately 20 USAID/OFDA tents are in some of the former walkways of the camp. Mercy Corps International (MCI) is serving two hot meals a day. Refugees have elected section leaders who organize the cooking and distribution of meals by section. Each family has one representative bring a ration card and family-sized metal pot to one of the four kitchens. Water and sanitation facilities appeared to be adequate. Under a BPRM grant, MCI has started a public health campaign by erecting signs and passing out information asking camp residents to not throw plastic bottles and sanitary napkins in the latrines. On May 2, the DART observed local government contractors developing two sites adjacent to the Senokos camp. These expansions will be able to house an additional 4,000 refugees. According to MCI, tents can be erected o/a May 9, but a well has to be dug and latrines installed before the sight is ready to accept refugees.
*Cegrane*	*28,500*
During the night of May 1, almost 1,000 refugees spent the night out in the open under blankets and plastic sheeting in an undeveloped portion of the camp. CARE reported that even with NATO's assistance, it was about 48 hours behind in erecting tents. Water and sanitation facilities remain problematic, with a 200 person per toilet ratio in the camp. There is also concern about gray water run off infiltrating the water table, which is very high and could effect water in the village of Cegrane, which is drawn from wells. Despite initial problems, CARE reports it is developing an orderly system for food distribution. When food was passed out to new arrivals on May 1, a riot nearly broke out because refugees did not realize there was adequate food. CARE reports that it has adjusted its system to feed the people in the tents first and then feed the new arrivals. In the areas without tents, CARE has asked Macedonian police to provide security and organize the refugees for food distributions. Thus far, this system has proven effective and the police have been very cooperative. The DART observed government contractors leveling and grading a third area of the camp adjacent to the first section. CARE reported the work would be finished o/a May 5 and this portion of the site would accommodate approximately 12,000 refugees.
TOTAL	110,700 (103,800 according to UNHCR's 0800 report on 5 May: new arrivals may not yet have been included in this report)

UNHCR Humanitarian Evacuations
(beginning April 6 to date)

Receiving Country	# of Refugees
Austria	1,299
Belgium	1,205
Canada	248
Croatia	100
Czech Republic	346
Denmark	324
Finland	481
France	2,354
Germany	9,974
Israel	106
Netherlands	1,626
Norway	2,325
Poland	635
Romania	41
Slovenia	115
Spain	208
Sweden	758
Turkey	4,055
United Kingdom	330
Others	56
TOTAL**	26,586

** Some refugees were moved to third countries by the GOM w/o UNHCR/IOM involvement: 10,000 to Albania, 5,500 to Greece, 2,243 to Turkey, and 88 to Croatia.

Montenegro

UNHCR headquarters estimates that there are 61,700 refugees in Montenegro. In the past 24 hours 200 refugees have left Montenegro for Albania.

USG Humanitarian Assistance:

Commodities

No new information.

Financial Support

To date the USG has provided over $188 million in response to the Kosovo crisis, beginning in March 1998.

USAID/BHR	$80,918,868
State/PRM	$59,779,500
DOD	$47,949,000
TOTAL	$188,647,368

The Background and Public Donation Information sections of this Factsheet are provided as a courtesy to the reader and have not changed substantially since the previous Factsheet. All new information is underlined/highlighted

Background:

In late February 1998, following an unprecedented series of clashes in Kosovo between Serbian police forces and members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Serbian police raided villages in Kosovo's Drenica region, a KLA stronghold. The police reportedly burned homes and killed dozens of ethnic Albanians in these raids. Thousands of ethnic Albanians in Pristina protested Serb police actions, and were subsequently attacked by the police with tear gas, water cannons, and clubs.
As a result of the fighting, thousands of Kosovar Albanians were displaced from their homes, many taking refuge with host families, while a smaller proportion (several thousand) took to the hills and forests.

Public Donation Information:

In the interest of effective coordination of such public response, we encourage concerned citizens to provide monetary donations to appropriate organizations. USAID encourages the public to contact directly those private voluntary organizations (PVOs) currently working in the region to provide monetary donations. A list of those PVOs may be obtained from the USAID website at www.info.usaid.gov. The list is composed of PVOs that are registered with USAID and/or listed by InterAction, a coalition of voluntary humanitarian and development organizations that work overseas; InterAction can be contacted at 1-818-502-4288, or via the Internet at www.interaction.org. Those interested in providing specific technical relief services or commodities should contact Volunteers in Technical Assistance's (VITA) Disaster Information Center for information and guidelines (703) 276-1914.
For more information, please contact the public donations hotline at 1-800-USAID-RELIEF, which is staffed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. FEMA reports that 315 calls were received by the public donation hotline on May 4. A total of 44,870 calls have been received since April 6.
Past USAID/OFDA Factsheets can be obtained from the USAID web site at the following URL: http://www.info.usaid.gov/ofda/situation.html.