KOSOVO TRIP
REPORT
January 31st – February 1st, 07
IFRC - Current situation in
Kosovo
 Political situation fully dominated by the process to
determine the final status
 No progress in improving the critical situation in
economic, health, social welfare, education etc. sectors
 Increasing need for Red Cross assistance to the most
vulnerable groups
 High rate of unemployment (over 50%), lowest income
per capita in the region (1.250 EUR/year)
Current situation in Kosovo
Large problem with corruption in all segments of life
Week and ineffective law enforcement
Health system not able to cover the needs
• weak management
• under investment in structure/staff
• poor access to health care outside Pristina
• only basic medicines provided for free
• hospital expenses high, covered by relatives
living abroad or loans from banks
ICRC
 no general proceeding/organization
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dealing with forced returnees
no organized reception/transfer to places
of origin
no reconstruction programme for houses
(UNHCR`s only for voluntary returnees)
lack of ID
security problems – as for local population
Potential crisis
 massive return
- at least 100.000 living abroad (non
Albanians), total 300-400.000
 municipalities not able to address the
needs
 Collapse of the system!!!
UNHCR MISSION
HQ in Pristina and 5 Field Offices
More policy making work
 capacity building
 helping in civil registration and issuance
of documents
Not promoting but facilitating return
 Core activities:
- monitoring return
- supporting inter ethnic dialogue
- free legal aid
- shelter assistance (repairing houses)
 Cooperation:
- lack of response from local authorities
to support the needs of returnees
National Societies presentations
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Germany
Italy
Switzerland
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Serbia
Meeting with RC Kosova
 Not recognized National Society
- 36 professionals, 5.000 volunteers
- lack of vehicles, problems with custom
- Law on Red Cross soon to be passed
 Cooperating with all major partners,
bilateral cooperation with many RCs
 Aid distribution (food and non-food items),
psycho-social support
 Needs in education, health care system
access, housing…
FIELD VISITS
 PECH
- visit to two families
- returned from Germany after more
than 15 years
- problems in housing, finding job,
health problems, language barriers,
education…
 KOSOVSKA MITROVICA
- Town split into South Mitrovica
(Albanian) and North Mitrovica (Serbian)
- Tensions present on daily bases
- Visit to Collective Centre for Returnees
(former military barracks)
- Same problems as in Pech…
Serbian Red Cross – Kosovo and
Metohija Provintial Organization
 covering 28 branches, not having access to two
 mainly distributing humanitarian aid (food and
non-food items)
 health care
 cooperation with all major international partners
 lack of office space (now renting), vehicles,
good in Human Resources due to large number
of volunteers
APPRECHIATE
YOUR TIME