Shelter Coordination Meeting

Shelter Coordination Meeting
Friday, 17th August 2001

Chaired by OCHA/UNHCR


In attendance were:

Mr. C. Sanders - UNHCR
Mr. A. Mulas - UNHCR
Ms. D. Marijanovic-Prolic - UNHCR
Mr. T. Trombev - Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications
Ms. B. Crvenkovska - Ass. to Mr. Trombev
Mr. Z. Bozinovski - IEES Skopje

Mr. P. Hebert - OCHA Skopje
Ms. S. Pesic - OCHA Skopje
Mr. M. Hague - EU Delegation
Mr. A. Talmon-I’Aimee - IMG
Mr. K. Carew - U.S. Embassy/PRM Mr. B. Ruskin - USAID
Mr. J. Snyder - OFDA/USAID


Objectives of the meeting:

  • To discuss available funding from international organisations and bilaterals for short-term reconstruction assistance, based on the initial damage assessment in areas of immediate access;

  • To define strategy for rapid action, in co-operation with the Government;

  • To define responsibilities to be assumed by different actors and identify NGOs that could take-over the activities;

  • To set modalities and schedule of action.


Introductory remarks:

Mr. Hebert of OCHA explained that the aim of the meeting was to define concrete points and schedule of action. Mr Tome Trombev, who joined the sectoral co-ordination meeting from the recently established Government’s Team of Experts, indicated that international community’s interest to work more closely with the Government was welcomed.


Status of international short-term funding for rapid response to initial needs:

Mr. Hague reported that the EU was finalising details of the Rapid Village Assessment (RVA). It was hoped that access to the v. of Arachinovo, Lopate and Opaje would be possible from the beginning of next week. IMG had contracted MoviMondo to start emergency reconstruction. It was hoped to begin damage assessments on Monday, 20 Aug. 2001. In order to start delivering ad-hoc assistance, it was crucial to define details of the assessment teams.


Strategy for rapid action:
Mr. Trombev informed that the fYROM Government, i.e. the Ministry of Transport and Communications, had already developed a Draft Strategy for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Damaged Facilities and Roads in the Crisis Areas as well as made a model damage assessment of the v. of Lopate, which he suggested could be covered first. He distributed copies of the documents and invited those present to take active part in their finalisation.

Mr. Trombev informed that the Crisis Management Body did not grant permission to access v. of Lopate, Opaje and Arachinovo on Monday, 20 Aug. 2001 due to security reasons. He suggested those present to meet on Monday, 20 Aug. 2001 and try to obtain permission for the assessment to begin the following day.


Responsibilities to be assumed by different actors:

Mr. Trombev suggested 3-party damage assessment teams consisting of 3 members each from the int’l organisations, the local self-government units and the Government be formed. Mr. Sanders of UNHCR commented that 9-member-teams would be too large. He suggested these to consist of 4 members - 2 international, 1 Government and 1 local self-government. The Government members would come from the Institute for Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IEES). Int’l organisation’s members would be selected from NGOs with appropriate expertise.


Modalities and schedule of action:

The estimate was made that rapid village assessment (RVA) could be completed in 3-4 days, i.e. 1 week.

A sufficient number of teams could be drawn depending on the accessibility to the crisis areas. NGOs would be invited to express interest to take part in the RVA in the Sectoral Co-ordination Shelter Meeting which was to follow this meeting. The US Government, which already has some funds that could be used for the purpose and USAID/OFDA indicated they were planning to support this process. IEES reported they already had staff members assigned and reserved.

In order to apply the same RVA standards, UNHCR proposed a training session for the potential team members be held on Monday, 20 Aug. 2001 at 10:00h. With regard to the methodology to be used, it was generally agreed that RVA need not go into too much detail and obtain precise figures, but will allow rough cost estimates be made. The several different forms in circulation would be further reviewed and explained during the training session. Mr. Mulas of UNHCR asked MCIC to take part in preparing the Monday training session. He also agreed to be the focal point for the organisation of the NGO training session.


Summary of Agreed Action points:

  • 4-member RVA teams will be formed, consisting of 2 international, 1 Government and 1 local self-government representative. Int’l members will be pooled from the NGOs with expertise and would be invited at the Shelter Meeting

  • A training session for the potential RVA team members will be held at 10:00h on Monday, 20 August 2001, at UNHCR. Mr. Agostino Mulas of UNHCR is focal point for organisation of the training.

  • A preparatory meeting of the training organisers will be held at 09:00h, on Monday, 20 August 2001, at the Ministry for Transport and Communications.

  • The participants in the Sub-Meeting are to meet again at 12:00 on Monday, 20 August 2001, at the office of the Ministry for Transport and Communications.


Spesic/OCHA/Skopje

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