FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: EMERGENCY 18 October 1996 ASSISTANCE

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 18 October 1996 emergency appeal no. 01.28/96 situation report no. 3 period covered: June - August 1996 ____...
Author: Louise Pope
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FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

18 October 1996

emergency appeal no. 01.28/96 situation report no. 3 period covered: June - August 1996 _______________________________ The run-up to the September elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused considerable tension throughout the region, as some returned to their homes to vote and all awaited the political repercussions. While repatriation rates continued to be very low Federation programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered pace. The closure of collective centres in Croatia led to a sudden influx of people into the Gasinci camp in Croatia and the Federation - supported strongly by the Netherlands Red Cross - was forced to act swiftly to meet emergency needs. The Federation programme's extremely difficult funding situation eased slightly thanks to a series of major donations which allowed relief efforts --particularly in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia -- to be increased. With winter fast approaching , donor support will be vital to sustain desperately-needed programmes for the hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced who have not yet returned home, and the growing ranks of vulnerable social cases impoverished by the continuing economic crisis in the region.

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The context In June 1996 some 1,100,000 refugees and displaced persons across former Yugoslavia were receiving assistance from the region's National Societies working alongside the International Federation with its network of delegations in Zagreb (Croatia), Belgrade (Federal Republic Yugoslavia), Sarajevo and Pale (for Bosnia and Herzegovina), and sub-delegations in Pristina, Podgorica and Osijek. The Red Cross provides social welfare assistance and hygiene support for adults and babies in Croatia, FR Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); secondary medical care and shelter in Croatia, and primary medical care and soup kitchens in FR Yugoslavia. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation provides social welfare assistance, and is in the process of preparing a secondary health programme. Support is also provided for traditional Red Cross activities and basic assistance is given to Red Cross branches. In Hungary, the Federation provides food support for soup kitchens. Federation assistance in Slovenia ended in June on the completion of the development delegate's mission.

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Latest events At the first Geneva conference on the implementation of the Dayton/Paris peace accords, which was held in June, and attended by the main players in the peace process, it was agreed that although some progress has been made, there is still much to be done. One positive sign of progress was the arms control agreement signed between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and FR of Yugoslavia, setting arms limits and allowing for international inspection mechanisms. The Balkan arms embargo was subsequently lifted by the UN. In addition, in August the leaders of Croatia and FR of Yugoslavia signed a mutual recognition accord, ending five years of hostility and involving the establishment of diplomatic relations. More recent developments have resulted in a move towards the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and FR of Yugoslavia, and there are indications that Eastern Slavonia may be returned to Croatian administration in spring 1997. Bosnia and Herzegovina Problems arising from the Mostar elections, after Croat officials refused to accept the results from the election at the end of June, were finally resolved in August, but once more revealed the fragile nature of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With reports of the continuing eviction of ethnic minorities taking place in both entities, a difficult start to the election campaign, and fears of registration irregularities, the OSCE decided to postpone the municipal elections, scheduled to take place on 14 September. The entity and cantonal elections, however took place as planned (details in the next Situation Report), but tension mounted throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina in the run up, particularly as IFOR searched for and destroyed weapons and ammunition compounds in Republika Srpska in August. In July, Bosnian Serb President and Party leader Radovan Karadzic agreed to step down from all political posts and Biljana Plavsic took over his position until the elections. Reconstruction is moving forward, if slower than expected. Representatives of the World Bank and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement to fund housing reconstruction, public works, employment and other projects to reintegrate the infrastructure. Meetings were also held between officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina and FR Yugoslavia, aimed at establishing mutual economic relations between the two countries. In August, Sarajevo airport opened to civilian air traffic. Croatia Integration-related issues were the main focus in Croatia over the period, with the Council of Europe adopting a resolution inviting Croatia into the Council (adopted in October). The demilitarisation of Eastern Slavonia was completed, with military and police forces coming under UNTAES control. The closing of the Kupljensko refugee camp in July led to overcrowding in the Gasinci and Obonjan island camps, with the transfer of 5,400 refugees. Macro-economic policy successes have stimulated economic growth, reducing the rate of unemployment, and bringing the rate of inflation to below 4 per cent. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia In August, a major breakthrough was reached in August between FRY's President Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, the leader of the Albanians in Kosovo, on the return to school of ethnic Albanian children in Kosovo. This decision may signal an easing of the tense situation in Kosovo, and could lead to further political progress after the November elections in the Federal Republic. Meanwhile, living standards in FRY continued to decline, although there was some positive economic news with industrial output growing in most sectors, exports increasing and a lower than expected rate of inflation. The wages of 60 per cent of industrial workers remain at nearly half of the 2

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average monthly wage which, coupled with delayed payment, led to increased industrial unrest and strikes.

Hungary, Slovenia & FYROM The Regional Delegation in Budapest hosted the Former Yugoslavia Heads of Delegation meeting in August, to discuss initial proposals for the Emergency Appeal 1997 and to set the agenda for Federation activities throughout the region next year. The regional development delegate, who had been based in Ljubljana with the Red Cross of Slovenia since the closing of the Federation's country delegation in September 1995, completed her mission and handed over full responsibility for the core programmes initiated with Federation assistance to the National Societies in Slovenia and FYROM.

Red Cross/Red Crescent action Bosnia and Herzegovina - Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Development Following the adoption of the Federation of B-H Red Cross Statutes on 22 June in Novi Travnik, branches and cantons have been preparing their own assemblies and rewriting their statutes to match the Federation of B-H RC Statutes, before the General Assembly to be held on 9 November. In view of these envisaged changes, all major programmes, workshops and other training sessions were put on hold until after the General Assembly. Programme planning has also been problematic due to budgetary and financial constraints, at a time when there is an urgent need for funds for the renovation of branch premises and warehouses. Support is also sought to cover branch transportation and maintenance costs for vehicles badly in need of repair. While humanitarian aid in general is decreasing, beneficiary numbers are increasing due to the return of internally displaced persons, returnees from collective centres and the demobilisation of soldiers. Red Cross branches are under pressure from the community to help with the provision of household items such as cooking utensils, sheets, blankets, mattresses, etc. Regular discussions took place with members of the Federation Entity Red Cross interim body on the possible future set up of the Red Cross structure, but no changes are expected before elections and the General Assembly in September. Some branches are taking the initiative and crossing the Inter Entity Boundary Line (IEBL) to hold talks with branch representatives in Republika Srpska, on such issues as tracing, the exchange of information, conditions, property etc. Social Welfare Programme In June, Basic Home Care Seminars were held for the cantons of Livno and Grude and in August for Neretva canton to prepare for the start of the SWP. At a seminar in Zenica canton for SWP activists, talks were held with authorities to look at ways of incorporating this Red Cross activity into a future professional visiting nurses programme to be supported by the community. A new reporting system has been developed for all cantonal and federal co-ordination offices, allowing analysis of data from the grassroots level of activists and beneficiaries. However the urgency of doubling activist and beneficiary numbers means that the network of home care activists is coming under increased pressure. There have been calls to revise the volunteer incentive system but the current funding situation cannot allow for an increase in the symbolical amount of DM 40 the activists receive. The lack of salary support for experienced Red Cross branch staff in general is becoming problematic, as many leave to take up paid employment. 3

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In August, 21,019 visits were made to 3,818 beneficiaries as part of the SWP. A further 2,145 referrals were made to medical facilities, a process which began in June. The Belgian Red Cross programme in Novi Travnik and Gorni Vakuf to establish, equip and staff four women's centres was completed. Some activities have already started and more are planned. Visits from one centre to the other (Muslim and Croat) have also begun. Secondary Health/Medical Co-ordination offices have been collecting data to prepare the secondary health assistance part of the SWP, which aims to arrange appropriate service contracts with local health institutions to whom vulnerable elderly can be referred. Initial work has focused on identifying needs in the fields of optical, aural, dental and geriatric care and mobility assistance. In the cantons of Sarajevo, Zenica and Tuzla health institutions have already been identified and contracted for eyesight and aural care. A standard contract has also been developed, specifying the type of assistance requested, compensation issues, the number of beneficiaries and when they will be referred. Relief and Rehabilitation The first Mobile Technical Team (MTT) in B-H started work in Tuzla canton in August, concentrating on referrals from the Home Care Teams and Red Cross branch secretaries. In the first month, 77 elderly beneficiaries were assisted in five municipalities with basic repairs to their houses, and the chopping and storing of firewood. The needs are enormous in this respect, and more teams are needed as soon as possible in advance of winter weather. There are plans to set up a second team in the Tuzla area, with possible Netherlands Red Cross funding. Cooperazione Italiana have also approved a programme to set up seven teams in Banja Luka, Bihac, Doboj, Gorazde, Kupres, Olovo and Zvornik, including the provision of 18,900 winterisation kits. A 'Hypothermia Prevention' information campaign has been designed to complement the MTT and Home Care programmes and the provision of winterisation kits. A total of 8,000 hygiene parcels are to be procured locally for elderly beneficiaries of the Home Care programme. In August, 2,500 hygiene parcels donated by the ICRC were distributed from the Bihac Field Office - 858 to beneficiaries of the Home Care Programme. Another 40 mt of food provided by WFP to the local Red Cross were distributed with assistance from the AmCross office in Tuzla. Progress towards setting up a tools bank, involving local Red Cross branches, has stalled but discussions are to continue between UMCOR and UNHCR. Branch Support Visits to branches continued from the Mostar, Bihac and Tuzla field offices to check on the progress of renovation projects funded by the delegation. Further requests were received for assistance to local branches with renovation work, repairs and the provision of basic equipment. A summer camp was held on the Croatian coast for 102 child victims of war from Cazin and Bihac, involving a two-day Red Cross summer school. Repatriation There has been no major influx of returnees yet, and problems are expected as returns increase. There is little empty accommodation for new arrivals. Temporary inhabitants must be resettled if returnees take over their old homes. Those internally displaced persons who have returned have no funds or construction materials to repair their destroyed houses, and living conditions could become unbearable once the cold season arrives.

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A guidebook for refugees thinking about returning to B-H entitled "Going Home" has been prepared and will be ready for printing in October. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republika Srpska The Red Cross of the Republika Srpska (RCRS) held its general assembly in Jahorina on 29 June, with most opstinas sending representatives. In general, donor interest (particularly from Norwegian Red Cross, Italian Government and the British ODA) is finally beginning to show for programmes in Republika Srpska, albeit tentatively.

Branch Support Many branches are enthusiastic about starting or strengthening traditional Red Cross activities, but at present their main priority is to establish a functioning structure, in terms of office equipment, human resources and serviceable transportation, where Federation assistance is presently focused. The financial branch support programme funded by the Danish Red Cross is continuing, and material has been delivered to Visegrad, Kalinovik, Kopaci and Foca from Netherlands Red Cross funds to help with repairs. The ODA-donated Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Kits were finally distributed in July to hospitals in Doboj, Brcko, Srbinje and Trebinje. Large beneficiary populations in certain areas, such as Sarajevo Romanija, Eastern and Old Hercegovina, are putting increasing pressure on local RC Branches. As many NGOs size down their relief operations, overloaded relief distribution operations can be expected this winter. Development In June, a Social Welfare Assessment Mission visited Republika Srpska to review needs in the field, and in July two successful seminars took place, one for local staff training and the second, a co-operation seminar for Red Cross representatives from all regions. A Health Educators Seminar was held in August, bringing together experienced Red Cross people to decide on a common strategy regarding First Aid, Health Education and Blood Donor Mobilisation programmes. The participants are to provide the local Red Cross with programme proposals for the future of these activities. Repatriation Collective centres are still overcrowded, with many being transformed into geriatric institutions in the absence of alternatives for single elderly persons. The conditions are poor and are expected to worsen as winter approaches. The lack of psycho-social support and meaningful activities adds to the misery. Repatriation in general remains a sensitive issue in Republika Srpska and tensions are expected to rise between those who stayed and suffered during the four years of war and those who left and are now returning. Traditional Activities In June, for the first time in four years, the Red Cross of the Republika Srpska organised a first aid competition, with 140 youths participating, supported by the Federation and ICRC. In July, a 12 day summer camp was organised in Modrica for school children, which included an introduction to the work of the Red Cross. Croatia Logistics and Relief During the first six months of 1996, the main objective of the Federation was to focus its relief activities more closely on the needs of the most vulnerable individuals located in the former sectors. As part of the hygiene programme, distributions continued of Individual Hygiene Rations for adults covering a three month period (donated by the Swedish and Norwegian Red Cross), through regional warehouses. In the second half of 5

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1996 a further reduction in beneficiary numbers for the hygiene programme will be implemented. Distribution of Baby Hygiene Rations (BHRs) funded by the Spanish Red Cross was completed in July. All consumable items from BHRs donated by the Austrian RC were distributed with the exception of 2,358 bars of soap. The relief component of the "Save Lives" operation, funded by the Swedish and Danish RC, continued in the Former Sectors North and South (FSNS). A new agreement between the Red Cross and ECHO, based on the results of an assessment recently carried out, will try to address the problem of continuing influxes of different beneficiary groups and their needs. It was initially agreed that the Red Cross would target 'remainees', returnees from FRY and B-H and unregistered refugees, while ECHO would supply all registered refugees, returnees and displaced persons.

Shelter and Camp Management Renovation work on the Termoterapija building in Dubrovnik, to adapt it into a home for the elderly, started in June. The national welfare system will be able to make a long term commitment concerning operation of the home for a 15-year tenure. A pest control project was completed in seven collective centres in the Split area, due to deteriorating conditions caused by constant use of the barracks and an irregular refuse disposal service. Preparations also continued on the Kamenjak project, to convert the refugee centre in Pula into a home for the elderly, which will provide 140 beds, 80 per cent of which will be occupied by elderly displaced persons and refugees. Former Sectors Following discussions between the Federation and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Pakrac Red Cross (a branch of the Croatian Red Cross) will sign a contract with the ministry to receive regular reimbursements for the Home for the Elderly in Marino Selo from the welfare system. Funding is still being sought by the Federation for the construction of an annex to the home, but preliminary work before winter sets in can be completed thanks to a donation from the Spanish Red Cross. In Sector East, the water well cleaning teams are due to become operational from 1 October 1996. Training programmes for team members are under preparation. Swedish Settlements The ODPR announced the possibility of additional beneficiaries being moved into the camps as a result of the closure of other collective centres. At the end of August the three settlements housed 795 beneficiaries. Work on the maintenance of the outer water and sewage systems at Pisarovina camp was contracted out and repair work continued. In the Dumace and Sasna Greda camps a new project was initiated to distribute fresh fruit and milk among the children, elderly and pregnant women, and 104 friendship educational boxes from the American Red Cross were distributed. Gasinci Between 15 May and 1 August, Gasinci camp received 4,700 new residents from Kupljensko camp, causing massive overcrowding and overburdening of the camp's infrastructure. A total of 6,068 are now in the camp, which has a theoretical capacity of only 3,400. Containers and tents were erected to meet the need but are unsuitable for winter conditions. The newcomers are mainly children, young adults and pregnant women. An urgently-needed water chlorinator was scheduled to be installed in September. Transportation facilities are provided four times a day, and an extra route has been added for the transfer of residents requiring medical treatment. The Netherlands Red Cross-funded School Milk Project continues but due to the new arrivals beneficiary numbers have increased to 540 primary school-aged children. The Austrian Red Cross 6

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donated 2,814 kgs of baby food in July and three cartons of friendship educational boxes were received from the American Red Cross. Pindoff and Netherlands Red Cross funding insured the construction of the new pre-fabricated Outpatient Clinic, with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) co-operation. The clinic was planned to provide gynaecological, psychiatric and general health services to camp residents through personnel employed by the NRC, but is concentrating on paediatric examinations at present due to the large number of new arrivals of babies and children. The camp's social support programme ran three workshops to improve the skills of the social workers in alleviating the consequences of long-term refugee life. The number of elderly beneficiaries in need of home visits is increasing. The construction of ten sanitary units for elderly beneficiaries of the home visit team will be funded by the Netherlands Red Cross. Social Welfare Throughout June and July the full complement of 13 Mobile Teams (MT) continued their work, finding new beneficiaries who have been without human contact since August 1995. The Mobile Social Service Teams (MSST) came across increased numbers of returned Serbs, mostly elderly couples, often in bad health who are frightened to seek much-needed help and have failed to register with their local Red Cross. The MSSTs help to register them and try to organise initial assistance. In addition to their regular work, in August all MTs in FSNS carried out an assessment of the firewood situation and livestock food needs for the upcoming winter. In FSNS, 700 persons living in 550 households are in desperate need of firewood. The MTTS are also conducting a vulnerability assessment for the Relief Department and are collecting data on potential recipients of tool kits under a repatriation programme. From September there will be just one Technical Team working in the FSS. Medical Despite a decision to close down the Eyesight Care Project under Solaris III in June, 567 beneficiaries were provided with eyeglasses in that month, and another 192 in July. The Hearing Aid Project was also not extended past June, although those persons already tested received hearing aids in July. Although a lack of funding for the Elderly Support Programme led to the demise of the project in the collective centre on Obonjan and in Djecje Selo, elsewhere 29 volunteers continue to care for 100 elderly people living in collective centres. The Dental Care Project continued with the distribution of consumable kits to dental clinics in need and the provision of dentures to 44 beneficiaries over the three month period. The Home Care Project visited 1,502 beneficiaries over the same time. Former Sectors With the donation of an ambulance by the Norwegian Red Cross, the Federation's Medical Department was finally able to respond to the large number of requests for assistance in FSN in June. The programme is now fully operational and in co-operation with the MSSTs, other NGOs and doctors in local health institutions, 352 home visits were made over the three month period and 239 patients transported to hospitals. In July, Pharmaciens Sans Frontieres provided a shipment of medicines for activities in FSN and the Federation donated dental consumable kits to primary health centres together with other medical supplies. In June, July and August, 483 beneficiaries were examined in villages and hamlets in FSS and 90 transported to medical institutions. At the end of August the Elderly Home in Knin accommodated 72 beneficiaries and the Elderly Home in Petrinja, 132. In June, staff of both homes, who had previously been employed by the Federation through local CRC branches, signed contracts with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare for an unlimited period -- a significant move towards the integration of the homes into the 7

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national welfare system. Other medical supplies were donated to the most vulnerable beneficiaries and to health centres and elderly homes in both sectors. A medical assessment of the Eastern Slavonia area was carried out in July and August to review medical conditions and needs for future programmes. It was concluded that the health situation is satisfactory at present, due to external support from NGOs active in the region. However, dental care was signalled out as needing support and a Home Care project is seen as a priority. Other assessments of existing and projected Federation programmes were conducted as part of a major analysis of future policy and programmes. Repatriation Estimates for the first six months of the year indicate that 20,000 refugees have left Croatia to return to B-H. The Croatian government announced that refugees from Federation controlled lands in B-H could return home. The refugee status of some 43,500 people is expected to be revoked soon, although those unable to return due to the situation in their region will retain refugee status. The monitoring of other returnee has been made more difficult with the signing in May of an agreement on the elimination of transit visas for refugees. As of 1 July, 'Displaced Person' status expired for residents of the FSNS, affecting nearly 75,000 people. The return of displaced persons to the FSNS continues slowly, with ODPR figures showing 50,000 returnees to Former Sectors North, South and West. Living conditions are only improving slowly with many areas highly depopulated with weak infrastructures, high unemployment rates and slow progress in reconstruction. In Eastern Slavonia, UNTAES and ICRC report minor population movements. The de-mining and reconstruction of the first three pilot project villages, to where return of displaced Croats is being facilitated, has begun but is proceeding very slowly. Chronic disease kits were prepared for 35 potential returnees, to be distributed by local CRC branches. Tool kits were added too, and these will be distributed, with painting sets, to branches in FSNS with large numbers of returnees. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) Logistics and Relief Programme During the reporting period 1,248 mt of Federation/PNS relief items arrived in FRY, consisting mainly of used clothes and shoes from the Swedish and Finnish Red Cross, hygiene parcels from the Hellenic and Finnish Red Cross, food for the soup kitchens from the Austrian and Swedish Red Cross, medical and hospital hygiene items from the Japanese, Canadian and British Red Cross, First Aid dummies and a forklift from the Norwegian Red Cross, and a private donation for an orphanage from the Irish Red Cross. Thanks to a Danish Red Cross donation, local procurement of hygiene items began for the first time. Over the same period, 9,554 mt of international relief items were distributed to beneficiaries through the Red Cross distribution system. The EC 16 operation contract was signed by ECHO and the Federation in June, with the Hellenic Red Cross as the sub contracting party in charge of procurement and deliveries. The operation, valued at 500,000 ECU, should cover basic refugee needs with 102,000 hygiene parcels for a period of three months. The project began in June and distribution is continuing. Despite the large quantities of incoming and distributed relief, the situation remains serious. Warehouses are generally empty and, as the pipeline dries up with winter approaching, the outlook seems bleak. ECHO and WFP wheat flour deliveries in August, in addition to the Federation hygiene parcel distribution, have slightly relieved the situation. 8

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Medical Programmes New health laws were passed in June aimed at a more rational delivery of health care, but a general lack of drugs in the public health sector continues. The Ministry of Health has agreed with the pharmaceutical industry to make a national 'essential drug' list, which should always be available. Sixteen laboratory kits were distributed in June to smaller health institutions, where they were gratefully received. A fifth first aid seminar was also held in June and Laerdal equipment was handed over to the Yugoslav Red Cross to complete equipping of the centres. Federation medical stocks received a boost during the summer with donations replenishing medical kits and hospital hygiene item stores. The five-day seminar 'How to live together', for 1,000 participants selected from refugees and local people began in July and will continue until February 1997. Soup Kitchens Programme (SKP) The situation of the soup kitchens programme remains serious, with low stocks, items missing and deliveries of flour delayed due to market shortages and trucking capacities. Beef, tomato paste and milk powder quantities were halved in June. In August, ECHO started to cover 50 per cent of the most vulnerable regions by providing beef, fish and oil. In July and August the programme covered 30,239 beneficiaries through 68 kitchens and 124 distribution points. Hard pledges from several donors should secure the programme for a further three months. In addition, to reduce costs, a policy of local procurement will be implement. A major assessment of the socio-economic conditions in FRY as they related to future soup-kitchen needs was conducted and its results are currently being analysed. Social Welfare Programme In June, SWP workers made a total of 13,155 personal contacts with beneficiaries in need of psycho-social support. 11,529 in July and 11,241 in August. Tension in the collective centres, with incidences of alcoholism, aggressive behaviour and conflict continues to rise. Two of the main causes of this increased tension are uncertainty regarding the future and boredom. UNHCR will provide six months' financial support, from 1 July, to the SWP in the Kosovo and Vojvodina regions. Repatriation Preliminary indications from the UNHCR refugee census reveal that 60 per cent of refugees expressed the wish to remain in FRY although very few actually have. A new law on citizenship entering into force in January 1997, together with a desire by some refugees to integrate, could lead to an increase in the number of socially vulnerable people in FRY in 1997, if the economic situation continues to deteriorate. Hungary, FYROM, Slovenia Relief The distribution of hygiene and baby parcels in FYROM, funded by the Italian government, was completed in June, as was the distribution of Austrian Red Cross winter survival kits. Packaging began of hygiene and food parcels covered by Icelandic Red Cross funding and distribution commenced in July. The Icelandic Red Cross donation to support the 12 Hungarian Red Cross soup kitchens arrived in June, and was distributed throughout the country. The lack of donor support for the provision of food and hygiene items in Slovenia is leading to a worsening situation for refugees with host families. Social Welfare The Federation Development Delegate based in Ljubljana finished her mission in June. The National Societies in Slovenia and FYROM will take over responsibility for the social welfare programmes in their representative country. 9

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Dissemination In July a workshop was held in Budapest for participants from the Croatian, Slovene and Yugoslav National Societies to introduce the Human Quest 1 computer game, as part of the NorCross/ICRC/Federation joint programme 'Promoting Humanitarian Values in Former Yugoslavia'. Participants focused on translation issues and how the project could best be implemented and integrated into current dissemination programmes. Logistics The Regional Delegation in Budapest continued to provide logistical support to Federation Delegations in FRY, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, assisting with vehicle registration, the purchase of spare parts and vehicle maintenance.

Outstanding needs Croatia An assessment of the situation in FSNS indicates that beneficiary vulnerability is increasing as winter approaches. The provision of firewood is a priority, as stocks are exhausted and material is scarce. To deal with infrastructural strains at Gasinci camp, new volunteers arebeing sought to increase the capacity of the Home Visit Team and vehicles to cope with transportation demands. The lack of basic information, i.e. the number of returnees, is posing a problem to the repatriation process. As the process of reconstruction continues infrastructural weakness are becoming more marked. Water tanks are urgently required in areas where potential returnees are repairing their houses for future returns. Bosnia and Herzegovina Insufficient funding, and an inability to plan ahead of the September elections and forthcoming Federation of B-H RC General Assembly, means that much programme planning has been put on hold. Renovation, repair work and basic branch equipment needs are priorities in both entities. In Republika Srpska funding urgently needs to be found to commence basic programmes to promote the traditional activities of the local Red Cross and to address the social welfare and medical needs in the entity. Vehicles to launch Mobile Technical Teams are also desperately required. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia In FRY, empty warehouses need to be filled before the approach of winter, the most urgent needs being for hygiene and baby parcels, food items for the soup kitchens and shoes.

External relations - Government/UN/NGOs/Media Co-ordination meetings are held regularly at the Gasinci camp in Croatia with ODPR, UNHCR, International Rescue Committee and Norwegian Refugee Council, to monitor the changing needs and responsibilities brought about by the new arrivals. In the coming months, all MSSTs will be involved in data collection for the Family Reunification project, initiated by UNHCR and ICRC. Weekly co-ordination meetings take place between the ICRC and other NGOs working in the FSNS and co-operation in the field of social welfare continues. Co-operation meetings involving Federation and ICRC delegates from both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina continue, as do inter-agency meetings which are held on a weekly basis and are attracting an increasing number of NGOs. In addition, weekly 10

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working group meetings are addressing reconstruction and health issues. Funding shortages, however, remain the main obstacle to progress in Republika Srpska. Regular inter-agency and task force meetings at both a regional and headquarters level continue to be held in FRY

Contributions See Annex 1 for details.

Conclusion The sad reality of insufficient funding poses the major obstacle to the development of Federation programmes in former Yugoslavia. Republika Srpska is suffering particularly acutely, with donors reluctant to invest in the entity. Funding is desperately sought for the branch support programme, to provide the bare material minimum to ensure the functioning of local Red Cross branches. Despite a desire on the part of local branches to return to traditional Red Cross work and build up core activities such as first aid, health education and blood donor programmes, little progress can be made in the absence of adequate funds. Uncertainty arising from the run-up to the September elections has not helped the situation. At the same time, as winter approaches, the needs of the vulnerable are becoming more urgent and the necessary preparations to combat the effects of harsh weather conditions need to be put in place now. Although repatriation has not yet commenced on a large scale, population movements are continuing, with individual returns and the closure of collective centres effecting demographic changes which need to be reflected in Federation programmes. In order to be able to respond to such changes, the Federation asks for the continued support of its donors.

Mark Wilson Desk Officer Europe Department

Renny Nancholas Director Europe Department

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