1. KOSOVO TRIP REPORT January 31st – February 1st, 07

2. 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)

3. 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 Current situation in Kosovo

4. 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

5. Potential crisis  massive return - at least 100.000 living abroad (non Albanians), total 300-400.000 Albanians), total 300-400.000  municipalities not able to address the needs  Collapse of the system!!!

6. UNHCR MISSION HQ in Pristina and 5 Field Offices More policy making work  capacity building  helping in civil registration and issuance of documents of documents Not promoting but facilitating return

7.  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 to support the needs of returnees

8. National Societies presentations  Germany  Italy  Switzerland  Norway  Denmark  Sweden  Serbia

9. 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 bilateral cooperation with many RCs  Aid distribution (food and non-food items), psycho-social support psycho-social support  Needs in education, health care system access, housing… access, housing…

10. FIELD VISITS  PECH - visit to two families - returned from Germany after more than 15 years than 15 years - problems in housing, finding job, health problems, language barriers, health problems, language barriers, education… education…

11.  KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Town split into South Mitrovica (Albanian) and North Mitrovica (Serbian) (Albanian) and North Mitrovica (Serbian) - Tensions present on daily bases - Visit to Collective Centre for Returnees (former military barracks) (former military barracks) - Same problems as in Pech…

19. 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

20. APPRECHIATE YOUR TIME APPRECHIATE YOUR TIME