Albania - ICRC-10: 24.Sep.97
Albania - ICRC-10: 24.Sep.97
ICRC
Albania
Update No. 10
24 September 1997
General situation
Despite recurring incidents, security has improved slightly since
the June elections with the authorities gradually regaining control
of the country. This has facilitated the work of humanitarian
organizations in the region and for the first time since the
elections, the ICRC was able to visit former trouble spots such as
Gjirokaster, Vlora, Tepelene and Tropoje. Signs of tighter
security on the roads indicate an improvement in the situation but
public order has yet to be fully restored in some regions.
The ICRC has made important contacts with the authorities to
strengthen its ties with the new government. The ICRC vice
president visited the country from 7 to 10 September, meeting the
President, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs and top representatives
of the Albanian Red Cross (ARC). Current and planned operations
were discussed and ICRC contacts were reassured that the
organization would maintain a presence in Albania, carrying out
traditional activities such as dissemination in collaboration with
the ARC, and pursuing detention issues. The ARC was commended for
its excellent work and cooperation with the ICRC.
ICRC activities
Owing to the prevailing lack of security, the ICRC's food and
medical assistance programmes to Albania, as outlined in the
Special Appeal for Albania of 17 March 1997, have taken longer to
implement than planned. However, now that the situation has
improved somewhat, the ICRC is working towards completing its
mission in Albania, gradually phasing out the assistance programmes
it had set up to meet needs during the crisis.
Relief
The food assistance programme in northern and central Albania is
running smoothly with operations being carried out successfully in
30 out of 36 districts. In some areas, such as Kukes, Burrel and
Puke, the final round of distributions was made last week, whereas
in Kucove and Lushnje, for example, food parcels were delivered for
the first time.
To date some 134,000 food parcels, out of an overall goal of
209,000, have been distributed. Twenty-five thousand parcels were
handed out over the past two weeks alone. In other previously
inaccessible districts, specifically in the south, the ICRC intends
to start assistance programmes by the end of the month provided
there are no setbacks. With the programme at mid-point, the mission
should be accomplished by early November.
Medical activities
As needs linked to the crisis and the number of wounded have
decreased significantly, the ICRC medical assistance programme is
coming to a close. The Ministry of Health is now in a better
position to reassume responsibilities by drawing up a budget and
providing salaries for health care staff. In this sector, the ICRC
has already scaled down its activities, discontinuing regular
deliveries in favour of ad hoc assistance where necessary and
maintaining its supply of emergency stocks available to the ARC.
Since March 1997, the ICRC has distributed 50 tonnes of medical
equipment and supplies to the 63 social and medical institutions in
Albania, including 37 hospitals.
Dissemination
The weapons awareness programme, well under way, is now entering
its second phase. With this endeavour firmly on track, the ICRC can
now shift its attention to more traditional dissemination
activities, such as the promotion of Red Cross values in elementary
schools, the inclusion of international humanitarian law into the
curricula of three law faculties and a television campaign aimed at
spreading Red Cross humanitarian principles and informing the
public of ARC activities.
International Federation/Albanian Red Cross
The International Federation's project to expand ARC branch
premises is under way. Renovations should be completed before the
end of the year. However, plans to add new warehouse space are on
hold because of poor security conditions and uncertainty regarding
the ownership of the land for the warehouses. Tenders have been
awarded to various companies for supply of equipment intended for
branches and headquarters. First aid kits have been donated by the
British Red Cross and will form part of the ARC National Disaster
Preparedness Plan.
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