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CARE worker Clive Richardson with new arrivals

As CARE moves out of the start-up phase in managing five refugee camps in Albania and Macedonia, it still is coping with new arrivals daily, requests to manage even more camps, snags in the pipeline of goods and the need to move people away from the border.

The latter issue is made more difficult by uncertainty about whether Macedonia will keep its borders open and whether it will insist on moving refugees into Albania. CARE is carefully considering what options it may have if refugees are moved in large numbers but is adamant any relocation should be voluntary.

"We could play an important role in the transfer of refugees into Albania from Macedonia, as long as the relocation is on a voluntary basis," says Mike Mispelaar, CARE's director in Albania. Mispelaar outlined four ways CARE's logistical expertise could be helpful: information on which camps have space available, documentation of refugees at the border, route support and guidance into camps so that people are moved only once and registration of new arrivals in Albanian camps.

In Albania, CARE manages Spitalle camp near Durres, where approximately 2,200 people live, Kukes II housing 7,500 and Camp America, renamed "Camp Hope," which is almost ready to accommodate 20,000 people. CARE reports banditry and general security for staff and refugees are major concerns. CARE is strengthening its presence in Kukes, near the border with Kosovo, and Korce, near Macedonia, anticipating large numbers of refugees still to come.

Bob Allen - Stenkovec Camp Manager

Some may come from Macedonia, there CARE manages two camps housing almost half of all refugees living in camps (others are living with host families). CARE manages Stenkovec II with 22,000 people and Cegrane, which grew in a week's time from 2,200 people to its current population of 29,000.

CARE reports the food pipeline has sufficient stockpiles for about two weeks. The European Union has just funded CARE for US $2 million to provide fresh food in the camps in Macedonia and community kitchens are under construction at Stenkovec II.

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