MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government will provide further immediate assistance to assist with the tragic humanitarian crisis in the Kosovo region.
Massive refugee movements from Kosovo into Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro have led to a disastrous humanitarian situation with no indications that the crisis is lessening.
While reports vary, it is estimated over 600,000 people one third of Kosovo's population - have been displaced. Almost a quarter of a million people have fled to Albania; 120,000 have gone to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; 35,700 to Montenegro, and others have crossed into Bosnia-Hercegovina and Turkey. Extreme conditions confront those still fleeing their homes in Kosovo, and the hundreds of thousands gathered on the Albanian and Macedonian borders.
There is a large and growing requirement for assistance in the areas of food, shelter and sanitation.
Australia will provide a further $4 million to humanitarian organisations working in the region, namely the United Nations High Commission for Refugees ($2.5 million), World Food Programme ($1 million) and the International Committee of the Red Cross ($500,000). This is in addition to the $2 million contribution I announced last week.
This assistance will be targeted at meeting the immediate relief needs of refugees and internally displaced persons.
It will be provided through the emergency relief budget managed by the Australian Government's overseas aid agency, AusAID.
Australians wanting to donate to relief efforts for the refugees should support the appeals launched by the non-government agency of their choice.
I would stress that funding channelled through agencies already working in the area is the most effective and fastest way for Australians to assist in dealing with this crisis. It is neither practical nor sensible to send shipments of goods and supplies from Australia when the needs of the refugees can be met faster and cheaper from within Europe.
Media contacts:
Julie McDonald (Minister's Office) 02 62777500 or 0419 206890
Matt Francis (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0417 683 126