Host Families Assistance

Minutes of the Host Families Assitance Co-ordination Meeting
October 5th, 2001

Chaired by Keary Neal, American Refugee Committee

In attendance were:

Mr. Keary Neal, ARC
Mr. David Hill, DFID UK
Mr. Warner Passani, ARC
Ms. Ana Popvska, UNHCR
Ms. Rusana Savic, World Vision
Mr. Silva Pesic, UN OHCA
Mr. Roman Balic, CESVI
Mr. Vladanaka Andreeva, UN OCHA
Mr. Massimiliano Benevelli, CESVI
Mr. Martin Flin,
Ms. Henny Rose Marie, SDR/HAU
Mr. Jeff Williams, IMB
Ms. Daniela Kostovska, CARE
Ms. Betty Easter, IMB

Agenda

  1. IDPs statistics
  2. SDR's cash for shelter project
  3. UNICEF vulnerability assessment
  4. Winterisation


1. IDPs statistics

Mr. Keary Neal (ARC) distributed to those present 4 October 2001 statistics on the number of IDPs from Tetovo, Kumanovo, Skopje and Sk. Crna Gora areas accommodated in collective centres and host families. He commented at the fact that there has been a drop of the number of IDPs, from 70-75,000 in September to something over 41,000 in October 2001. This drop is a result of a cease-fire and overall stabilisation of the security situation in the country that allowed many people to return to their villages. On 1 October ICRC started de-registration of the IDPs in the country using new, needs oriented system of registration.

ARC has undertaken a survey of intentions to return among IDPs accommodated at Collective Centres. Initial survey data indicated that the prevailing concern preventing return is still security, not damage on the houses. Results of this survey will be available at the beginning of December.

2. Cash assistance to host families

SDR representative reminded that SDR's cash for shelter project is a retroactive program and will cover the period from May to August 2001. The monthly assistance of 70 DEM per family will be disbursed through Makedonska Posta and will initially target 4,200 host families.


3. UNICEF led vulnerability assessment

Mr Neal advised that the results of the vulnerability assessment were to be available only the following week. From what he was able to learn so far, the prime finding was that there should be another assessment as the situation has changed a great deal since the beginning of the assessment, an that it is necessary to have continuous revision of the IDP needs.


4. Winterisation

The Chair briefed the meeting that UNICEF is planning to provide winter clothing for 20,000 IDPs. He also commented that all the agencies that are currently providing assistance to IDPs are focusing their activities for the period until 31 December 2001.

Mr. Passani informed those present that American Red Cross in co-operation with ICRC will distribute non-food items (hygiene and baby parcels) to 20,000 IDPs and 6,000 host families. The funds, which have been approved by OFDA, will cover a period of 6 months, starting from October onwards.

15-16 NGOs presently committed to CCs has responded to the ARC inquiry, providing information on their ongoing and future activities concerning assistance to IDPs. From what has been collected so far, it appears that there is a great deal of duplications of assistance, and host families seem to suffer certain amount of neglect in this respect.

ARC appealed to all agencies interested to share their winterisation plans and to communicate at the meetings if there are serious indications from their donors as to what type of assistance they are likely to provide.

ICRC has 3,000 bundles of mixed clothing available to be distributed. World Vision also has 2-3 containers of clothes available for distribution.

Given the fact that a great number of homes that IDPs are returning to have been looted, furniture is also emerging as one of the prime needs to be looked at.


Ana Popovska/UNHCR/Skopje


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