ACT Alert
Kosovo No 2/98
Geneva, June 8, 1998. The influx of refugees from Kosovo into Albania is increasing and was estimated to be approximately 20,000 by Albanian authorities on June 7. The day before UNHCR estimated the number to be around 10,000. The refugees are fleeing an escalation in fighting between mainly Serbian forces of the Fed. Rep. of Yugoslavia and the separatist Kosovo Liberation Army (KAL).
Much of the fighting is focused on parts of Kosovo just adjacent to the border with Albania. News agencies report that at least 250 people have been killed in the fighting since February this year. As the areas where the fighting is most intense remain closed to independent observers this is only an estimate.
ACT is preparing to send initial rapid response funds of US$ 25,000 to its member in Albania, Diakonia Agapes (the diakonal arm of the Albanian Orthodox Church). ACT members Norwegian Church Aid and International Orthodox Christian Charities are both preparing to second staff to Diakonia Agapes to assist with the assessments and the start up of emergency assistance. ACT member Diakonishes Werk in Germany is preparing to send medical supplies to Albania.
The majority of the refugees are crossing into Albania in the Tropoje area some 225 km north of the capital of Tirana. Infrastructure in this poor part of Albania is reported to be weak.
ACT members present inside the province of Kosovo are monitoring the situation but have so far seen no opportunity to assist in the parts of Kosovo now ravaged by fighting.
For further information please contact the ACT Office by E-mail
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