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Minutes of the Host Families
Assitance Co-ordination Meeting In attendance were:
Updates:
UNICEF reported that there were no changes since the last meeting regarding the ongoing common assessment of host families and IDPs needs. The data was being processed and first results of the assessment were expected to be presented in a preliminary report on 1 October. 2. Winterisation Agostino Mulas (UNHCR) reported that UNHCR has started procurement of fire wood, winter clothing and underwear. This assistance will target the most vulnerable groups that constitute 30-40 % of the total caseload of IDPs and returnees. IFRC/MRC reiterated that it is planning to continue the distribution of hygiene parcels to CCs and host families throughout the winter. ARC followed up on the inquiry into the ongoing and proposed NGOs assistance to CCs and HFs in the period until 31 December. Some 27 NGOs from the ARC list were contacted, most of which have responded. The following Tuesday was set as deadline for the info to be gathered. Based on that information, a list will be compiled and submitted to UN OCHA for further co-ordination. UNICEF informed that they are also looking at the winter needs of IDP children of age group 0-2. After the common assessment data are available, UNICEF is to establish teams who are to visit collective centres and host families and assess winter needs of the targeted child population. UNICEF reiterated their readiness to co-ordinate their activities with other concerned agencies. IFRC briefed the meeting that high quality second hand clothes were delivered from time to time by the Swedish Red Cross and were distributed through well established system through the municipal MRC branches and a permanent distribution point at the Skopje MRC municipal branch in Cair. In general, used winter clothes were readily available from the national RC organisations abroad. Care International reiterated their interest to contribute to the incoming winterisation activities. Their HQs had contacted the donors, yet are still waiting for a response. Should the funds be are provided, their main priority will be procurement of firewood and fuel. The representative of German Caritas communicated their intention to provide winter clothing to IDPs, for which purpose they had applied to the German Ministry of Development. 3. CCs working groups ARC urged that there should be close co-operation between HF group and CCs working group, especially in the period to follow, as the expectancy was that the number of IDPs at CCs will decrease as most of the CCs would be vacated by the Government and the IDPs would be persuaded to seek accommodation with host families. 4. Cash Assistance Programs IFRC representative, Mr William Harper, followed up
on the SDR cash assistance project and the EU readiness to extend the
cash assistance throughout winter. Mr. Harper briefed the meeting on the
discussions that were taking place in preparation for the implementation
and the issues that may hinder the start of the project once it is approved
by the Swiss Government. Namely, SDR was not satisfied with MRC database
since a great number of HF were registered without ID numbers, and was
inclined to review the whole list. Meanwhile, EU has designated the European
Agency for Reconstruction to be acting party in their cash assistance
program. The European Perspective representative followed up on the Greek cash grant for minor shelter repair. This NGO is conducting an assessment of shelter needs of 600 host families countywide. Some of the findings that are emerging from this assessment are as follows: average number of people in a household is 1 (5 hosts and 6 IDPs) and they live in 65 square metres; some 41 % are experiencing roof problems, 27 % have no toilet facilities, while other 14 % are using water from wells. Based on the assessment findings,150 most vulnerable cases would be covered with this grand. The cash grant will target both Macedonian and Albanian families equally. The Chair stressed that for the purpose of confidence building, it is important to increase international presence on the ground in the crisis areas. In this respect, co-ordination meetings at municipal level in Kumanovo and Tetovo area were initiated. The Chair announced the availability of funds for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) which cost up to 30,000 USD and should have a completion date by end December 2001. These projects should include limited infrastructure activities such as repair and/or rehabilitation of public buildings, and other infrastructure of public interest. The Chair invited all the interested NGOs to submit their project proposals to UNHCR. Mr. Ainsworth informed the meeting that DFID UK has funds to the amount of 300,000 USD ready to be implemented without limitation to particular target groups. He invited all the agencies that are operational on the ground to submit their concept notes as soon as possible.
Ana Popovska/UNHCR/Skopje
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