Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (111355)	8/14/2003 4:43:14 AM
From: KLP	Respond to of 281500

For a bit of prospective: One year after the war's end, Kosovo shows signs of recovery 13 June 2000 careinternational.org.uk It was only one year ago, on 10 June 1999, that NATO troops entered Kosovo after a negotiated end to the conflict between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. International relief and development organization, CARE International had been forced to suspend operations in March 1999 but returned within a few days of the province being secured by NATO troops. Today, one year on, many anniversary stories focus on the negative aspects of life in Kosovo – continued ethnic tensions, the continued flight of Serbs and other minorities, and the lack of economic recovery. But there is also another, more optimistic, side to the Kosovo story. Despite its many problems, the war-battered province is showing signs of recovery. Survivors and returning refugees have braved tremendous challenges and continue to face daunting circumstances - from safely negotiating mine-strewn roads to rebuilding trust with their former friends and neighbours. CARE International is proud to have been able to assist by providing much-needed and welcome support in helping Kosovars rebuild their society. Today, CARE International is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the province. `CARE International has one of the largest relief and rehabilitation programmes, covering 21 out of Kosovo's 29 municipalities. We are trying to address the glaring need for economic recovery and reconstruction while trying to foster reconciliation and rebuilding of civil society.’ explains Mike Godfrey, Co-ordinator for CARE International’s programmes for the Balkans. Here are a few of the ways that life in Kosovo is improving with help from CARE International: Anti-personnel mines and other weaponry CARE International staff found and removed 528 anti-personnel mines, over 200 anti-tank mines and nearly 200 unexploded ordnance from an area 100 acres in size. More than 11,000 homes have been made secure to live in and there are now nearly 200 miles of roads that are deemed safe for travel. Community awareness CARE International is teaching communities how to recognise and avoid landmines through community mine awareness projects involving nearly 200 villages throughout Kosovo. CARE staff have successfully trained almost 5,000 people in mine awareness over the past year. The United Nations has adopted CARE’s pocket-sized mine safety handbook as its standard field guide. Repair and rebuilding Before the outset of winter CARE International distributed over 11,000 shelter kits in the areas of Mitrovica, Ferizaj, Podujevo and Pristina. These shelter kits helped 80,000 people to survive the harsh Kosovo winter by enabling each house to have at least one warm, dry room. CARE International is now rebuilding schools and community centeres throughout the province. CARE chaired the Standards Committee and made a substantial contribution to the UNMIK Guidelines for Housing Reconstruction in Kosovo. Agricultural rehabilitation CARE International is distributing maize and onion seed, fertilizer, vegetable kits, herbicide and other agricultural essentials to over 20,000 households in Lipjan, Urosevac, Kacanik, Stimlje and Viti. CARE employs both Serb and Albanian staff on this project, promoting links across the ethnic divide. About CARE International CARE International has been working in Kosovo since 1998, providing shelter, agricultural rehabilitation, land mine-awareness training and mine clearance, but was forced to suspend operations in March 1999. During the Kosovo crisis CARE International managed eight refugee camps housing more than 100,000 refugees in Albania and Macedonia. CARE re-entered Kosovo in June 1999 within a few days of the entry of NATO troops. It now works in the areas of Urosevac-Ferizaj, Kacanik, Lipljan, Prizren, Gnjilane and Mitrovica, employing around 40 international staff and 450 local staff.