Albania - DHA: 19-25.Jul.97
Albania - DHA: 19-25.Jul.97
DHAGVA 97/0314
Situation Report from the UN Resident Coordinator in ALBANIA
Period Covered: 19-25 July 1997
HIGHLIGHTS
- General security is becoming more unstable in the countryside as the
Multinational Protection Forces (FMP) withdraw 100,000 people left
without water following an explosion of the Durres municipal aqueduct
system.
- Fifteen long-range Chinese surface-to-surface and surface-to-air
missiles were reported to be stolen from a military bunker in
Gjirokaster.
- Berisha resigns and Rexhep Mejdani has been elected President.
- Fatos Nano was appointed Prime Minister
- State of emergency and curfew have been lifted
- FMP-CIMIC escort the final humanitarian convoy
GENERAL SECURITY SITUATION
The general security situation is becoming more unstable especially in
the countryside as the FMP withdrawing from their country base
locations. Highway robbery is on the increase.
The general threat is towards anyone using the roads unescorted, with
armed gangs robbing civilian travelers and kidnaping and holding to
ransom foreign businessmen. Most of the countryside is a no-go area at
present.
Also, the gangs have been engaged in territorial battles, especially in
Vlore-Berat-Durres-Burrel, leaving several dead in their wake. There
have also been a couple of criminal inspired bomb attacks against two
gaming bars.
The only semblance of government control is around Tirana and Durres,
from where people can drive unescorted and in reasonable safety.
However, there is still a strong presence of the FMP in the area. The
situation may change after the final FMPs withdrawal on the 12 August.
Although the level of political violence has been so far relatively low
it could increase dramatically due to the instability of the situation.
The state of emergency and curfew was lifted Thursday 24 July.
Northern Region
Kukes: Roads are unsafe with robberies taking place daily.
Tirana: 0300 hours, 21 July an explosive device badly damaged a bar
restaurant gaming club on the main street. No one injured.
Tirana: 24 July heavy shooting and some grenade explosions during the
night in celebration of the election of the new President.
Lezha: It was reported that an explosive device had damaged a gaming
club in the town. Criminal activity suspected for both incidents.
Central Region
Berat: When the Police special force went to Berat for 48 hours only,
the gangs moved out with their heavy machine gangs into hills. When the
police departed, the gangs moved back in and started fighting again.
Police presence in Berat is non-existent. Local authorities have a
friendly and cooperative attitude toward FMP and humanitarian
organisations.
Roskovec: (East of Fier) a Carabineri patrol noticed an armed civilian
roadblock. When the police arrived the civilian engaged them with small
arms fire.
Durres: Three killed in gang fighting. Five metres of the municipal
aqueduct were destroyed by an explosive device leaving 100,000 without a
water supply.
Southern Region
Vlore: Gangs continue their fighting and are in the process of re-arming
themselves. On 19-21 July, nine people were killed as a result of gang
fighting. Concern over the departure of the FMP is openly expressed by
many people.
Gjirokaster: 20 July, 15 long-range Chinese surface-to-surface and
surface- to-air missiles were reported stolen from a military bunker.
Authorities are investigating.
Gjirokaster-kakavija: 21 July, Greek businessmen kidnaped by an armed
gang.
Rumanian troops have left Gjirokastra. The situation in town is normal
in the morning but worsens in the afternoon. The roads to and from
Gjirokaster are dangerous.
POLITICAL SITUATION
President Berisha officially resigned on Wednesday 23 July.
The new Parliament met at 1700 hours on Wednesday. Opposition
Democratic Party Members of Parliament from the boycotted the first
sitting of the Parliament to protest against what they considered
elections held in a climate of terror.
Fatos Nano has been appointed as the new Prime Minister and Rexhep
Mejdani has been elected President.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
FMP-CIMIC escorted the last humanitarian convoy Friday 25 July. Escorts
in the next week will be provided only in the case of extreme
emergency.
The Office of the Resident Coordinator will hold a meeting on Tuesday at
1030 hours with UN Agencies, donors and NGOs to discuss specifically
how humanitarian and development organisations plan to work under the
current security conditions.
Food
WFP distributed 2,300 bags (115 MTS) of wheat flour.
Fier: 1,300
Lac: 1,000
ICRC distributed 7, 130 family food parcels.
Durres district: 370
Lac: 1,220
Kruje and districts: 1,220
Shkoder and districts: 4,320
DA-IOCC (Diaconia Agapes and the International Orthodox Christian
Church) have completed the distribution of 15,184 family food parcels.
The 12.5 kg parcels containing cooking oil, wheat flour, sugar, pasta,
powdered milk, rice, dried yeast and beans were delivered to vulnerable
groups affected by the crisis in Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Kruja, Lac,
Shkoder, Lushnje, Lezha, and Berat.
Inter-SOS has begun distribution of 100 MTS of wheat flour donated by
ECHO to approximately 5,000 beneficiary families in Lezha. Due to the
security risks involved in distributions outside town, Inter-SOS plans
to begin distribution in Lezha town with the assistance of local
authorities and police.
Premiere Urgence began their second round of distributions this week.
They are distributing canned beef donated by ECHO to 7,500 beneficiary
families in Tirana.
Health
UNICEF-WHO hosted the twelfth Health Coordination Meeting on Friday 25
July. During the meeting Mr. Kvello, the WHO drugs management expert,
presented a recommended list of essential drugs.
During the last week the Italian NGO AVSI distributed drugs and other
medical supplies to the hospital in Vlore, pediatric and dystrophic
hospitals in Tirana. AVSI is now conducting an assessment into future
activities. Some possibilities include assistance to street children
and foster care programmes.
ICRC and WHO both have received an urgent request for assistance to
hospitals in the South: Vlore, Permet, Delvin, and Saranda. However,
the ICRC medical teams which have been providing medical and surgical
supplies to hospitals throughout Albania have not been able to travel to
the region because of hazardous security conditions. According to an
ICRC press release, the Albanian Red Cross and the ICRC are looking at
alternative ways of reaching these institutions.
Social Affairs
UNICEF hosted a Social Affairs meeting Thursday 24 July. During the
meeting concern was expressed about orphan children aged 15 years and
older who are no longer under the direct care of the state. It has been
reported that a group of these children living in a school dormitory in
Shkoder do not have means of support and the girls especially are
exposed to violence, including sexual assault. The community in Shkoder
is attempting to provide some support but given the current economic and
security situation, means for assistance are scarce. There is also
concern that Shkoder may not be an isolated case and that similar
problems may be occurring in other districts.
UNICEF began distribution of 20,000 weapon-awareness posters targeting
teenagers and children. The Albanian NGO Society for Democratic Culture
will assist in the distribution.
Upcoming Coordination Meetings:
Security discussion: Tuesday 29 July at 10:30 at the UNICEF office.
Food: Thursday 17 July at 10:30 at the UNICEF office.
Social Affairs: Thursday, 24 July at 10:30 at the UNICEF office.
Health: Friday, 25 July at 10:30 at UNICEF office.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
United Nations Office in Tirana, Albania
Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano
UN Resident Coordinator a.i.,
Tel.: (0035542) 275 00 or 322 63 - Fax: (0035542) 300 28
E-Mail: Rotiglia@unicef.tirana.al
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Silvia Ferazzi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1402 - Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr. Kazuhide Kuroda
Tel.: (1 212) 963.5713 - Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: kuroda@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856 - Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH - E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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