UNMIK on Air

World Refugee Day in Kosovo

By Andrea Saula

 

 

Hello and Welcome to UNMIK on Air,

 

‘It takes courage to be a refugee’ - is the slogan of this year’s celebration of World Refugee Day. Some 17 millions of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in the world today are under UNHCR’s, United Nations Refugee Agency’s protection although it is estimated that the total number of refugees or IDPs is larger.

 

Kosovo’s conflict like any other made a great number of people being refugees or internally displaced persons. In 1999, as estimated 800.000 ethnic Albanians, escaping in front of Serbian armed forces, found refugee in neighboring countries. After the conflict more then 100.000 non-Albanians ended up being internally displaced persons. 

 

Most of Alabamians returned just after the NATO entered Kosovo but as humanitarian agencies calculate approximately only more then 12.000 non-Albanians came back to their home of origin. 

 

Actuality No. 1 I had a nice and happy childhood. Unfortunately it was interrupted in 1999. Since then I remember only fear, tears and grief. I’m wondering if my friends and me deserved that because we are only children. We are not to be blamed for anything 

 

11 years old Dragana originally from Gnjilane, living at the moment in the village of Silovo writes in her essay on the theme of the World Refugee Day. She was among other children from Silovo and Abdullah Presheva who gathered in Gilan/Gnjilane’s Sports Center San Siro for UNHCR’s celebration of the World Refugee Day.

 

Music up and under

 

Musical dance, singing, drawing and football tournament got together Serbian and Roma children among which many were or still are internally displaced persons.

 

Sevdim Bazi, a 15 years old Roma boy spent five years in Serbian proper away from his home. Last year, finally he returned to Gilan/ Gnjilane.

 

Actuality No. 2  I missed the most my school and my friends. I was thinking why it happened to me. (edit to) The feeling was very good when I returned although I didn’t find my old friends.

 

World refugee Day, in the organization of UNHCR, was marked in all Kosovo’s region. Mitrovica region is both affected by IDPs and refugees. Wars in Croatia and Bosnia brought thousands of refugees to Kosovo and most of them still live in Northern parts in collective settlements.

 

Three months ago 16 elderly refugees moved into the Foster Home for Elderly Refugees in Mali Zvecan and for World Refugee day it was officially opened.

 

The initiative for the opening came from UNHCR and the Swiss Development Corporation provided donation, explains Matewos Beraki, head of Mitrovica Regional UNHCR office.

 

Actuality No. 3  We’ve been fully engaged in identifying the beneficiaries. There is something like 200 certified around here and we selected the most appropriate people to live here based on their capabilities.     

 

Borislav Jelacic, also a refugee from Croatia, takes care of the foster home. Capacities of the home are ten studios ant two double rooms flats in which two families and 14 singles live. Most of them are beyond their 60-ies explains Jelacic.

 

Actuality No. 4  These people decided to stay and to integrate into the society. However, the problem is that their incomes are too low, some 35 to 40 euros. We have little problems with food supplies. The accommodation issue is solved; we have water and electricity almost non-stop. Living conditions are good.   

 

Since 2001, in celebration of the 50th UNHCR’s Anniversary, World Refugee Day was established on 20 June of each year to pay tribute to Refugees throughout the world.  

 

Mary Whalen, protection officer UNHCR Gnjilane/Gillan regional office tells us what is the purpose of the celebration. 

 

Actuality No. 5  The whole purpose of the World Refugee Day to generate a tension, at least for one day in the year of the international public to this issue and point out how many people are affected by displacement and by violent conflicts.

 

Back announce: The return issue is also one of the most important political items at the moment in Kosovo since it is one of the eight standards for Kosovo. The successful implementation of this standard will pave the way for the opening of final status discussion.

That would be all for today. Have a nice day!