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Minutes of the Host Families
Assitance Co-ordination Meeting
Updates: 1. Host family assessment The UNICEF representative, Ms. Mayke Huijbregts, followed up on the ongoing common assessment of host families and IDP needs. She reported that the data collection was being completed. Data inputs had already started and processing and analysis was to be completed within two weeks. Final results are therefore expected to be available by the end of September/first week of October. Ms. Huijbregts further briefed the meeting on the establishment of the referral mechanism for addressing needs identified in the preliminary assessment findings. She reported that Dr. Anica Kos, who is a focal point for the work of the mobile teams, was developing a response strategy on the basis of the preliminary findings of the ongoing assessment. A more coherent strategy will be adopted after analysis of the assessment data has been completed. A referral mechanism to respond to preliminary needs identified was being established and include mobile teams and SOS lines for psychological counselling services and distribution of information leaflet. The leaflet, which was in process of compiling and printing by the American Refugee Committee, would include 6-7 categories of information on the services that IDPs can access, such as health and legal services, psychological assistance, social assistance, education, police, etc. The leaflet will be available in Macedonian, Serbian, and Albanian.
Nadica Gjozeva (UNHCR community services) raised the issue of winterization, pointing out the urgent need to tackle the IDPs request for winter clothing, underwear and heating, as well as to work on this kind of assistance even before the common assessment of HFs and IDPs needs is completed. World Vision representative informed that two containers of mixed clothes ( both for children and adults ) were due to arrive in Macedonia in late October. This in-kind assistance, which presents the corporate USA and Australian donation, could be distributed to IDPs. He also informed that additional quantities were available and could arrive in the country within 6-9 weeks from the day of ordering. These were kept abroad in contingency stocks as there was no prior need reported that could allow the completion of distribution lists and other documents needed prior to the import customs clearance. Mr. Nick Scott-Flynn (Save The Children UK) briefed the meeting on the availability of winter clothing kits for 2000 families that this organisation had in the pipeline. These clothes were expected to arrive at the beginning of October and could be distributed to any of the beneficiary groups in need. Since Mr. Scott-Flynn could not specify the contents of these kits, he offered to provide a list of items at the next meeting. UNICEF representative expressed her concern that the ongoing and incoming assistance to host families and IDPs still appears to be insufficient to meet the needs of 30-40,000 HF during the winter period. Therefore, she suggested that all concerned NGOs should submit their plans on winterization along with their lists on winter stocks in order to have a better co-ordination of the distributions carried out by different NGOs, which would in turn bring about timely assistance to IDPs. Mr Warner Passanisi (American Red Cross) informed the meeting about the IFRC and MRC corporate operation of distributing ECHO donated hygiene parcels to around 5,500 host families. An additional 10,000 host families are also planned to be included. CARE International representative informed that, as for winterisation, they have sent a proposal to their HQs in Pristina and are still waiting for a response. 3. CCs working group Keary Neal (ARC) reported on the findings of the CCs working group. The most important issue that had emerged was that there should be an enhanced co-ordination of the distributions by various concerned NGOs, as well as consolidation of the information on the availability of stocks, since IDPs and host families appeared to be resentful of the fact that CC are being over-assisted. 4. Cash assistance to host families American Red Cross representative reported that the EU, through ECHO, expressed interest in supporting SDR cash for shelter project and is looking at the possibility of extending the assistance throughout the winter. In relation to this Ms. Huijbgregts suggested that this information be included in the previously discussed leaflets for IDPs, provided that the information on confirmation of funding should come. Due to the absence of the Swiss Embassy Humanitarian Unit representative, discussion on their cash for shelter assistance was postponed for the following meeting. Since there was no information as to whether the SDR project was approved or not, it was agreed that if in the period between the two meeting there were any developments, a note should be included in the minutes . AOB UNICEF representative announced that the NGO Office for those working in the field of child rights and child protection was to be opened that day.
Ana Popovska/UNHCR/Skopje
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