CARE HELPS REFUGEES RETURN HOME
Way Stations in Albania Provide Support on the Way Back to Kosovo
June 28, 1999
CARE Experts Available for Interviews
CONTACT: Allen Clinton, CARE USA, 404-374-3683 Cynthia Glocker,
CARE USA, 404-374-4061
WHAT: CARE is working with the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) as lead site manager for seven way stations for
refugees returning to Kosovo, specifically those travelling by tractor
and other slow-moving vehicles. A way station is a stopping place
for travelers to receive food and water, basic medical attention,
fuel for vehicles and to use sanitary facilities. Overnight accommodations
are provided for those travelling by tractor who may park in secure
spots and sleep in their vehicles. The average stop is expected
to take between 20 minutes to an hour. According to the UNHCR, out
of the more than 400,000 Kosovar refugees in Albania, 236,300 people
have already returned to Kosovo since June 15. Over the past three
days, more than 60,000 people have returned to their homeland. An
estimated 208,300 refugees remain in Albania.
As site manager, CARE is responsible for identifying and negotiating locations, station set-up, staff organization, site maintenance and serving as main liaison for NATO and UNHCR. CARE also coordinates with partner nongovernmental organizations that are also providing assistance in the Balkans.
WHERE: The way stations are located along two main routes: Along a combined interior/coastal route from the south and a combined western/eastern route towards the Albanian border town of Kukes. The specific stations are: Rreshen Gojan, Lezhe, Mamurras, Puke, Shemri and Mjeda. All seven stations are operational.
WHO: Marge Tsitouris, emergency group director. Tsitouris has just returned from Albania and Macedonia where she oversaw CARE programs throughout the Balkans. She has extensive experience in program implementation throughout the world.
Mike Godfrey,
Balkans coordinator, recently returned from CARE’s Balkans
coordinating sessions in Brussels.
Barbara Shenstone, acting country director in Albania, can provide
interviews from Albania about all of CARE’s program efforts
throughout the country.
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