Shelter Coordination Meeting

Sectoral Co-ordination Meeting on Shelter

Friday, October 26th 2001

Chaired by Ms Theresa Obradovich, UNHCR

In attendance were:

Ms. T. Obradovich - UNHCR
Mr. A. Mulas - UNHCR
Mr. S. Powell - UNMAS-MAO
Ms. S. Pesic - OCHA
Mr. C. Pott - GRC/IFRC
Mr. T. Trombev - Ministry of Transport and Communications
Mr. C. Setchell - OFDA/USAID
Ms. A. Foley - Tearfund
Mr. G. Swant - Tearfund
Mr. G. Mackay - Oxfam
Mr. M. Elliott - Oxfam
Mr. L. Malany - Shelter Now Int'l
Mr. Z. Lazarevski - Luis Berger
Mr. G. Kindlon - Mercy Corps
Ms. A. Bideau - Solidarites
Ms. M. Trajkovska - ADRA
Ms. S. Stojanovska - Movimondo
Ms. R. Savic - World Vision
Ms. I. Gomes - World Vision
Mr. V. Petrov - DRC
Mr. L. Markic - MICS
Mr. P. Retamal - Intersos
Mr. G. Grimsich - CARE
Mr. M. Benevelli - CESVI
Mr. J. Hersman - CRS
Mr. D. Phipott - EAR
Mr. A. Krzalovski - MCIC


Introductory remarks:

The Chair proposed the following agenda:

  1. Report from the CRIM
  2. Areas of Responsibility, progress, and other activities
    - Skopje
    - Tetovo
    - Kumanovo
  3. Quick Impact Projects
  4. UXOs and UNMAS
  5. Access
  6. Experiences so far in shelter implementation
  7. Any other business

1. Report from the CRIM

Mr Trombev, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications and Chairman of the CRIM (Committee for Reconstruction in Macedonia), reported on the CRIM meeting of Wednesday, 24 October 2001, in which the Mayors of all the Municipalities in the country were called to receive full briefing on the developments concerning shelter.

In the first part of the meeting, Mr Trombev presented the Government's Strategy for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Damaged Facilities and Roads in the Crisis Areas as well as the procedures established so far in that regard, while UNHCR presented the shelter and QIPs projects and all the documents, information and spreadsheets available within the UN Shelter Coordination Group (a set of these, consisting of List of Beneficiaries form; Bi-Partite Agreement form; Social Survey' form; areas of responsibilities spreadsheet and information leaflet) was distributed at the meeting. In the second part, the Mayors gave their views on the situation.

Two main conclusions were drawn from the meeting: 1) there must be a closer cooperation between the NGOs and the municipal offices and local communities; 2) NGOs have to be contacted that had committed for repair of damage at some villages and had not been out in the field yet.

In view of the 2nd conclusion, Mr Trombev and Dr Corsellis (UNHCR) already discussed the issue of Dzepchiste with ADRA. ADRA gave a detailed explanation of the reasons why it had still not been able to make assessment and start activities in Dzepcishte related mainly to the change of the initial area and the security situation, as well as with the awaiting of approval from their donor, the German Government. The Chair informed that the Shelter Coordinator, Dr Corsellis, will meet next week with the Mayors of Dzepcishte and Aracinovo as well as with Movimondo and Mercy Corps International (MCI) to clear the areas of responsibility.

2. Areas of responsibilities

The participants went through the spreadsheet and gave updates on the developments/progress in repair of houses, schools, ambulanta, water and sanitation systems and other objects .

3. QIPs

The Chair reported that most of the project proposals received so far concerned minor repairs of schools. Participants were therefore invited to be more creative in proposing other activities. As regarded the invitation to consider repairs and upgrading of the heating systems at CCs (collective centres), agencies should review them on case-by-case basis. Funds were available for this purpose and proposals could be submitted through the QIPs procedures.

Note was made that 30 - 40 % of the QIPs funds were already earmarked and those interested to take part were encouraged to submit proposals as soon as possible. Agencies were reminded that if they wished their proposals be reviewed by the Selection Committee during the week, they were to submit them by COB on Monday.

OFDA made a presentation of its 2001 programme that, unlike others, is targeting HF in supporting 60% host/guest family in conflict and non-conflict areas for up to 9 months and some 40 % of the IDP/returnee families. Support consists of 2 parts: 1) repair of C1 and "warm room" in C3 houses and 2) assistance in deliverables (firewood, stoves, windows) .

4. Mine Action

Mr Powell from UNMAS-MAO briefed the participants on the major risks in the field, noting that the main threat came not from mines, but from UXOs that are hidden in the rubble/remains of the houses, as large percentage of the projectiles do not detonate and remain in the material. Agencies involved in repair should be aware of the possibility that they will find UXOs in the rubble at construction sites. If that would be the case, they should leave the UXOs there, mark it and inform MAO.

Mr Powell reported on the progress in mine clearance of Tetovo area currently undertaken by 5 ITF teams coming from Bosnia, as well as that MAO is still waiting for permission by the CMC to deploy rapid action teams to assist shelter activities. Mr Powel reiterated that maps with markings of mines and UXOs, as well as Mine and UXOs Reports on different areas are available through his office, while he is available for advise 24h per day.

Those agencies that were in need of mine awareness training could contact the ICRC office that is responsible for the mine awareness programme in the country.

5. Access

Nothing to report.

6. Experiences in implementation so far

DRC reported that Sipkovica Municipal Office was not satisfied with the self-help approach to repair activities and was contacting USAID for more funds. Another problem at this municipality was that the damage was overestimated.

MCI was denied the list of IDPs from one of the MRC branches and from El Hilal, unless they made those agencies their implementing partners. It was recommended to MCI that they approach instead the head offices of these organisations.

One agency complained that some NGOs, more precisely SNI, was paying the villagers for unloading of the construction materials which was undermining other agencies' effort.

7. Any other business

The next Shelter Coordination Meeting will take place on Friday, 2 November 2001, at 09:15 hours at UNHCR Office.

Useful websites

1. http://www.aidmacedonia.org.mk
2. http://www.img.org.mk

For additional information please contact
Dr. Tom Corsellis, at corselli@unchr.ch

SPesic/OCHA/Skopje


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