Albania - UN: 06-12.Sep.97
Albania - UN: 06-12.Sep.97
Albania
Situation Report from the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania
Period Covered: 06-12 September 1997
HIGHLIGHTS
Balil Caushi, the brother of the gang leader Zani, has been arrested. Food
has been delivered to 23,241 families. UNFPA has signed an agreement to
supply 28 Emergency Reproductive Health and Neonatal kits to 28 maternity
units. MSF has completed a health assessment of four districts for
possible intervention.
SECURITY AND POLITICAL
General
Albania has been relatively quiet with more police presence especially on
the main artery roads linking the cities. Customs and police are now
exercising more control over the customs posts at the border. However,
nine smugglers trucks broke through the custom barrier at Gorcia, 170 Km
southeast of Tirana. Three of the trucks were later apprehended. The
other six got away but were later found burned out.
A wanted list of 600 most dangerous criminals who escaped during March
turmoil has been completed from police records and Interpol has been
informed. Courts and police stations damaged during the March violence
are being refurbished and some are already functioning. However, 80
percent of the population are still armed and there is still random
shootings at night. The Albanian Government has discharged 17 Generals of
its armed forces. NATO signed an agreement with Albania to help
restructure its army.
Central Region
Tirana
An armed gang attacked the police 500 meters from the city centre. Local
people had called for police assistance as the gangs shooting were
terrorizing them. No one was killed in the incident. Police recovered
one car and weapons.
A bomb went off at the home of a local police chief. No one was injured
in the incident.
Elbasan
Elbasan is more secure; however, police advise no movement after 1800 hrs
as they are still in conflict with armed criminals.
Southern Region
Gjirokaster
Inhabitants have so far handed in 10 heavy and light machine guns, 52
automatic rifles, 20,000 rounds of ammunition and 400 grenades.
Korce
Residents have handed in 14 heavy machine guns, 220 grenades, 58 machine
guns, 219 rifles, and 267,000 rounds of ammunition.
Vlore
Still not completely secure, especially in the surrounding countryside.
UN/NGOs have recently visited Vlore with police escort and encountered no
problems.
Berat
Police are exerting more control. UN/NGO Agencies have visited the area.
Saranda
Has now become more secure including axis routes from Gjirokaster.
However, the axis route Vlore/Saranda is still not clear of criminal
elements.
Balil Caushi, the brother of Zani, the notorious gang leader from Vlore,
was arrested by police and is now in Tirana jail awaiting trial for
illegal possession of weapons. People in Vlore also accuse him of murder,
kidnapping and robbery.
Cerrik
Police recovered arms and ammunition in a two-day operation, including 30
heavy machine guns.
Delvine
Police suspended the arms collection because they were unable to secure
the large amount of weapons handed in.
HUMANITARIAN
WHO, UNICEF, DHA, ECHO, PSI and HCC (Humanitarian Cargo Carriers) traveled
to Puka and Kukes districts. During the trip the agencies looked into the
general situation as well as possible interventions by HCC through
UNICEF/WHOs Adopt a District programme. The WHO drug management expert
also conducted an assessment on pharmacies and drug availability in the
area.
In general the overall situation compared to March is improving,
especially in Kukes. The opening of the border with Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia one and a half months ago has allowed the economic situation of
some Albanians living in villages along the boarder to improve. The
German organisation KFW restarted road rehabilitation and infrastructure
projects, which provide some jobs in the area. Also, the increasing
security on the roads to Tirana has allowed many to resume trade with
Tirana.
Puke and Kukes, however, are still economically depressed areas and
require both short and long-term assistance in health and education, while
special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups. Approximately 20
percent of the population in Kukes are on social assistance but often only
receive partial payment.
According to the director of Education for the Prefecture of Kukes, 12
schools in Tropoje and four schools in Kukes were completely destroyed
during the crisis and others require some rehabilitation. However, school
will resume for most students on 15 September.
Food Aid
On Friday 5 September WFP hosted a food aid coordination meeting. During
the meeting WFP presented the its Logistics Update. WFP plans to complete
its distribution by mid-October.
Between 8 and 12 September WFP delivered 570.25 MTs of wheat flour to
11,405 families and 12.1 MTs of high protein biscuits.
Korce 500 + 870 HPB boxes
Mirdite 4560
Mat 2100
Gjirokaster 735
Kukes 1800
Delvine 500
Lushnje 30 + 340 HPB boxes
Permet 1180
ICRC delivered 11,836 family food parcels (fps) to:
Kucove 1620 fps
Korce 3420 fps
Tirana 216 fps
Burrel 2540 fps
Puke 1020 fps
Lushnje 3020 fps
Health
UNFPA will bring in 28 emergency reproductive health kits and 28 neonatal
kits to provide 28 maternity units with supplies for a three month period.
Project documents were signed on 10 September and distribution should
begin in one month.
During the week UNFPA also resumed distribution of maternity and mid-wife
kits. The distribution was temporarily interrupted to seven areas because
of the insecurity. Kits were delivered to Kukes district on Wednesday 10
September.
MSF has completed a health assessment of four districts: Lac, Mat,
Tepelene, and Gjirokaster. MSF has developed a preliminary proposal
covering a 6-month period for a total of 559,425 ECU. MSF suggests
improving equipment in the health centres, minor rehabilitation of
buildings, supply emergency drugs and renewable supplies, training on the
use of disinfectants, general precautions to avoid contamination and
spread of diseases, and improving the management of the centres.
Catholic Relief Service (CRS) delivered approximately USD 6,500 of
medicine to Vlore Hospital on Monday, 8 August.
Upcoming Coordination Meetings
Security discussion: Monday 15 September at 1600 hrs and Friday 19
September at 1000 hrs at the UNICEF office.
Food: Thursday 25 September at 10:30 at the UNICEF office.
Social Affairs: Thursday 18 September at 10:30 at the UNICEF office.
Health: Friday 19 September 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. Sylvia 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. David McLachlan-Karr
Tel.: (1 212) 963.0226
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: mclachlan-karr@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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