As I noted before,IOM is already starting a registration effort. I suggest you coordinate with them somehow.
IOM NEWS RELEASE
(29 April 1999, No. 821)
Over 100,000 USD in CORPORATE DONATIONS STRENGTHEN KOSOVAR REFUGEE REGISTRATION PROCESS
Six private technology companies – Gateway Computers, Cisco Systems, Canon, David Sarnoff Corporation, Autometric Inc., and 3M – are helping to strengthen the registration process of Kosovar refugees in Skopje, Macedonia through the first private sector donation of over 100,000 USD in information technology/computer equipment to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The donation is being facilitated by the U.S. Information Agency through the USIA/IOM Internet and Technology Assistance Initiative. The first shipment will arrive in Thessaloniki Greece on Thursday, 29 April.
"The USIA/IOM partnership channels donations of computer equipment from U.S. companies to IOM. USIA is proud to be the lead government agency in coordinating this public/private international relief effort," said Jonathan Spalter, USIA Associate Director for Information.
"As a direct result of this USIA/IOM partnership, IOM has received the needed software licenses, computers and technical support to address the growing registration demands in refugee camps," added Luca Dall'Oglio, IOM Regional Representative in Washington, DC. "These U.S. companies are donating everything from a central server and power units to PCs, digital cameras, Internet cabling and fax machines," he said. "The donation will greatly enhance the abilities of our registration team."
Registration is an extremely critical part of the assistance process and the donation will allow IOM to strengthen its mechanism for:
registering refugees, collecting basic personal information and data on family composition, location, etc.
expediting transport to longer term facilities in the region or abroad as most refugees fled without identification or passports
preparing an overall database for eventual follow up assistance, including return, should conditions allow.
The registration database will also help efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross to reunite families which have been separated, both inside and outside of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
While IOM has been tasked with the technological aspects of registration by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) -- the lead agency coordinating humanitarian assistance efforts in Kosovo – the Organization is also working closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Council of Europe to ensure the process is carried out according to standards set by the international community.
In addition to enhancing registration efforts, some of the computers will be used by USIA staff and volunteers to provide greater access to news sources and also potentially to facilitate communication. Three support persons will be traveling to Macedonia next week to assist with this initiative thanks to the National Technology Alliance, comprised of the David Sarnoff Corporation, Autometric Inc., and 3M.
USIA's Information Bureau is spearheading a public/private Internet initiative to help address the information and humanitarian needs of Kosovo refugees. The project is linking government agencies, technology companies, foundations and international relief organizations in a coordinated effort to bring refugee communities the hardware, software and connectivity necessary to establish internet-based information platforms.
"The steady advance of technology has dramatically changed how we in the humanitarian community react in crisis situations," Mr. Dall'Oglio said. "Just five years ago we were using wireless radios to transfer information between refugee camps. Today, we have the possibility of using cell phones, Internet and email which greatly increase our ability to provide information and mobilize resources."
"We applaud the generosity of the U.S. private sector and especially the assistance of the U.S. Information Agency in helping to address the information technology needs of the current situation. Once the crisis subsides, both IOM and USIA are in agreement that the donated equipment should be given to the people of Macedonia to be used in the school systems and by accredited development projects."
Over 70,000 persons have been registered in Skopje to date.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Peter Schatzer, Director, External Relations and Information, IOM Geneva
Tel: 41 22 717 9111
Fax: 41 22 798 6150
Email: pschatzer@iom.int
Lauren Engle, Coordinator, External Relations and Information, IOM Washington, D.C.
Tel: 202 862 1826
Fax: 202 862 1879
Email: lengle@iom.int
Marthena Cowart or Theresa Markiw, Press Officers, US Information Agency, Washington, D.C.
Tel: 202 619 4355
Fax: 202 619 6988
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