210 likes | 481 Views
KOSOVO TRIP REPORT. January 31st – February 1st, 07. IFRC - Current situation in Kosovo. Political situation full y dominated by the process to determine the final status No progress in improving the critical situation in economic, health, social welfare, education etc. sectors
E N D
KOSOVO TRIPREPORT 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 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 • 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