Full Report - WFP Remote Access Secure Services

Full Report of the Evaluation of the Kosovo EMOP 6040
3.4.1 Albania
Organised repatriation did not begin until July, after KFOR secured the whole of Kosovo. Despite
the potential security risks, the refugees began returning spontaneously on 13 June; the first day
KFOR troops entered Kosovo from Albania. By the end of June, more than 250,000 refugees had
already returned from Albania to Kosovo.
WFP supported the spontaneous return with family rations on the road from Kukes to Kosovo.
Humanitarian daily rations and canned food were also distributed for the journey itself. Other
agencies supplied water and various non-food items to support the journey and the immediate
period after return to Kosovo. In July, the distribution of one-month family rations in Kukes
continued. In addition, WFP began to distribute bread at departure points in the southern
prefectures of Albania.
Great work was done by WFP in downsizing the operation in Albania from over 100 international
staff and eight offices, to eight staff and two offices. Excess food stocks and equipment and
material were trucked and flown into Kosovo.
As the rate of refugee return was extremely intense and spontaneous, the figures for the refugee
population were difficult to determine. The discrepancy between UN and government figures
compelled WFP to stop distributing food until a proper registration was completed. When the
registration process was completed in mid-September, only 4,000 refugees remained. Under the
global Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, UNHCR is responsible for the food aid
needs for refugee populations of less than 5,000. Therefore, WFP is no longer serving the
refugee population in Albania.
WFP now has a focus on vulnerable target groups, such as pensioners, orphans and homeless,
people affected by disasters and other as most vulnerable people. Various programmes were
assessed during the summer for which WFP provides food though NGO (ADRA, MCI, CRS and
CARE) projects. These projects are intended to increase household food security of about 75,000
persons. The social assistance projects are scheduled to run until the end of 1999, after which a
one-year Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation will become effective. Food-for-work
initiatives are also considered.
WFP continues to work with the Emergency Management Group (EMG), which has shifted its
emphasis from relief to rehabilitation and developmental operations.
3.4.2 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRoM)
After the returns in July, food aid was distributed to social cases by US, German and French Red
Cross organisations in co-ordination with MCI, CRS and InterSoS. The government provided a list
of 75,000 families (approximately 300,000 individuals) who would be recipients. The programme
has a three-month planning cycle.
The refugee population was steadily decreasing. In September, the total caseload was 21,000,
with about 5,000 in camps and the remainder with host families or in collective centres. This
population is comprised of people who cannot or do not want to go back, including new caseloads
(Roma, ethnic Serb Kosovars). Nevertheless, by the end of September, approximately 200
refugees were returning weekly to Kosovo.
WFP continues to address the food needs of the refugees, and the issue of winterisation was
addressed. Refugees are supposed to move from tents to host families or to a collective centre.
They are supplied with a one-month family package of food and non-food items, including
mattresses and blankets. The most important document for refugees in host families is the green
card issued by the government and which entitles them to receive all humanitarian aid and local
services. More recent arrivals (after the end of the air strikes) receive white cards, which do not
qualify for local social assistance, although WFP provides them with food rations.
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