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Project Overview
The purpose of this project was to assist the influx of refugees
from the conflict in the neighbouring country of Serbia by
establishing a refugee camp, together with on site amenities
and services including distribution of tents, food, clothing
and hygiene packs.
Further to the collapse of the communist
system in Albania in the early 1990s and the subsequent adverse
effects on social services and the economy, IR registered
itself as an NGO in Albania in December 1991 in a bid to assist
the local communities
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Project Background
The mass expulsion of Kosovan refugees started in 1998, but
forced expulsion began in March 1999. Between March and June
1999 NATO launched an air campaign against Serbian forces
who had waged war on the Kosovans, as a result of which Serbia
finally agreed to sign a UN approved peace agreement.
As a result of this war, over one third of the
Kosovan population was displaced with over 250,000 refugees
in Albania, 35,0000 in Montenegro and over 150,000 in or bordering
Macedonia. This caused severe hardship for the host countries
that found it difficult to meet the demands of such vast number
of people. IR has been working with Kosovan refugees since
mid 1998 from one of our core areas of operations, namely
Shkodre.
Shkodre is a city on the Montenegro border and
has been receiving refugees since September 1998. Initially
these refugees were about 2,000 in number and IR assisted
them through food and clothes distribution. As the problems
of forced expulsion accelerated more and more refugees came
into this area, many of them women and children putting immense
pressure on the host country.
After discussion with the other international
agencies in the area and having conducted a needs assessment
of the area, it was established that a camp site for refugees
was needed as the situation on the ground justified it.
Project Objectives
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To establish a refugee camp to cater for
the large influx of refugees from Kosova into Albania
as a result of the civil war
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To provide refugees with essential food
packets, ensuring that they get a much needed nutritional
intake and a pack containing essential hygiene packet
item whilst in the camp
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To supply provisions of clean water to help
prevent the spread of diseases and to help maintain a
safe living environment in the refugees camp
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Project Activities
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To establish a refugee camp to cater for the large influx
of refugees from Kosova into Albania as a result of the
civil war
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To provide refugees with essential food packets, ensuring
that they get a much needed nutritional intake and a pack
containing essential hygiene packet item whilst in the
camp
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To supply provisions of clean water to help prevent the
spread of diseases and to help maintain a safe living
environment in the refugees camp
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To implement and maintain mobile clinics equipped with
medical facilities and staff to address on site medical
needs of refugees
Beneficiaries
On a daily basis the project on average catered for approximately
1,000 refugees families, totalling around 10,000 people in
all.
Since the end of the war, the Kosovans have began a gradual
return to their homes, only to find that many of them have
been destroyed. Focus therefore has shifted at providing humanitarian
assistant and relief to these returnees so that there are
able to rebuild their lives.
The camp has therefore ended, having achieved its main aims
and objectives effectively.
Other Activities in the Country
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Supporting the Islamic Faculty of Prishtina - Prishtina
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Shelter Support Program - Obilic, Podujevo, Prishtina
and Gllogovc
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School Rehabilitation Program
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