MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
We understand and applaud the spirit of those Australians who want to provide practical assistance to relief efforts in Kosovo by collecting items such as food, clothing and blankets.
However, the Australian Government and non-government aid agencies are unable to support the transportation of unsolicited goods to the Kosovo region.
It is very costly and logistically difficult to transport these items from Australia and deliver them to where the refugees are. The value of the items provided is diminished by the cost of transporting and distributing them. Unwanted goods slow down the distribution of urgently needed items and can often be more of a hindrance than a help.
We encourage people who want to help relief efforts in the Kosovo region to make cash donations to the non-government aid agency of their choice. This is the fastest and most effective way for assistance to be delivered to the people who need it.
Aid agencies working in the Kosovo region are in the best position to determine the needs of the refugees. Many of those needs, with the requisite funding, can be met locally and provided to the refugees quickly and cost-effectively.
Australians wanting to do something practical for the Kosovo refugees might like to consider organising fundraising activities that can support appeals being run by agencies: for instance, garage sales, market stalls, raffles, morning teas etc.
Australians can be confident their cash donations to accredited non-government organisations will be used to help the Kosovo refugees. A number of Australian aid agencies are working in the region to meet the needs of refugees. They are providing food, shelter, medical items, clothing, blankets, water supply, sanitation, family kits, fuel, cooking utensils, toys and writing materials for children and other needs.