UNMIK ORC - Kosovo Returns Activities Newsletter No. 39
Week 9 - 16 April 2004
Regional Developments
At the humanitarian assistance coordination meeting of 13th April, RRU requested access to the IDPs assessment performed by UNHCR/NCA and proposed a prioritization of the assessments per groups of IDPs/place of origin in order to create a more detailed mapping of the IDPs, with a view to return. This would ease requests for GSVs and further engage the IDPs in the reconstruction/assessment efforts in the place of origin. It was agreed that UNHCR will share the Household Needs Assessment forms for each of the IDP families with RRU once they are completed (expected in a week's time). It was also agreed that the assessment of the IDP groups from the locations of Frashër/Svinjare, Obiliq/Obilic and Fushë Kosovë/Kosvo Polje, who make up the bulk of the IDPs in Mitrovica region, would be completed as a priority so as to ensure that all IDPs are getting their entitlements.
RRU also requested clarification on the process of providing legal assistance to the IDPs who have lost their property, identification and other personal documents. NRC/Civil Rights Projects confirmed that the process was ongoing and that necessary coordination would be performed by the NGO which had access to documentation both in the municipalities of Kosovo, as well as in Serbia proper.
The lack of elected representatives within the group of IDPs was also assessed as a problem impacting on the flow of information and request for information as regards humanitarian delivery, request for assistance, channeling of questions to concerned partners such as RRU, UNMIK Municipality, UNHCR and the Red Cross.
The Serbian Red Cross raised the urgency of sanitation problems in the two locations that host IDPs in Mitrovica North (Branko Radicevic School and the Technical School). This situation stressed even further the urgency to focus on relocating the most vulnerable IDPs to the premises of Hotel No.3 in Zveçan/Zvecan due to be rehabilitated by the NGO UMCOR for the purpose of preparing it to be used as a temporary shelter. The Red Cross again felt the need to begin identifying medium term solutions that would also take into consideration the rudiments of the winter season, for those most deprived of basic living conditions. One proposal included the lease of land to install containers which could be used as additional collective centers. Although this could prepare the ground for a more permanent stay in North Kosovo hence impacting negatively on the feasibility of the return efforts, this alternative must be taken into consideration as one of the issues brought forth within the forum for basic humanitarian assistance to the IDPs. Furthermore, it should remain an issue for consideration while the feasibility for returns remains out of sight. In the meantime additional space that might be available in the temporary shelters in Leposaviq/Leposavic or Zubin Potok will be assessed.
As the focal point for reconstruction, RRU is coordinating with UNHCR, UMCOR, Frashër/Svinjare MCO, Police and other partners concerning visits and potential return to Frashër/Svinjare. A number of containers have been requested on a priority basis for Frashër/Svinjare. Assisting those persons that want to return so that they consequently leave their current locations of displacement in Zveçan/Zvecan, would also resolve much of the accommodation problems in this municipality.
Upon the request of RRU, LCOs with the Nansen Dialogue repatriation team, are preparing a list of the displaced of Obiliq/Obilic who would eventually wish to visit their place of origin. The information collected is needed by Police in order for them to eventually plan this operation.
The sanitation problem in the unfinished buildings in Zveçan/Zvecan town center, which hosts over 200 displaced mainly from Frashër/Svinjare, remains unresolved. It is hoped that A/MR Zveçan/Zvecan will be able to get the Mayor to request assistance from the Mitrovica water and sanitation company, which otherwise gave RRU a very high price for the service of cleaning out the portable toilets that UN Engineering had promised to provide.
. Vushtrri/Vucitrn
On the 7th April a meeting took place with the UNHCR, UMCOR representative, KFOR CIMIC, Vushtrri/Vucitrn LCO and 5 of the representatives of the Ashkalis currently displaced in the Maxhunaj/Novo Selo KFOR base. Many issues were raised and the idea of creating a collective center as a temporary shelter for the IDPs was discussed with them. UMCOR is in charge of renovating Hotel Vicianum as a possible collective center for the Ashkali IDPs. It is estimated that the works will finish before mid-May.