HELPING THE PEOPLEof the BALKANS

OUR MISSION

The Canadian Red Cross helps people in Canada

and around the world deal with situations that threaten:

• their survival and safety • their security and well-being • their human dignity.

Gllogovc/Glogovac, KosovoA man standing in front ofhis destroyed house, near a polluted well.

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War and its effects. People living

in the Balkans know war and its effects

well. Constant upheaval, forced relocation,

separation from family members and

economic devastation have radically

altered their lives and livelihoods over the

past decade. Years of fighting have scarred

the Balkans, its infrastructure and the

ability of many to maintain their own

security and well being.

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The break up of Yugoslavia in 1991 and ensuing

civil wars resulted in more than two million

refugees and internally displaced

people within the Balkans.

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Stenkovec,MacedoniaTransit camp forrefugees fromKosovo.

The CrisisIn 1998, intense violence between the Kosovo Liberation Army and Serbiansecurity forces threatened the lives of thousands. As a result of this fighting,the international community increased efforts to bring peace to the area.But peace did not come quickly and violence against civilians escalated.

Thousands of people were killed and even more wereforced to leave their homes or risk death themselves.An international military intervention ensued. Aspeople fled, many became separated from familymembers. This previously self-reliant group nowdepended on the goodwill of others for mere survival.

As Canadians watched this humanitarian crisis unfold,they responded generously. Thanks to this generosity the Canadian Red Cross was able to provide safe shelter, food, water and medial care to thousands ofinnocent people.

Although much work has been done to ease the suffering in the Balkans, greatneeds still exist. Unemployment is rampant, many live in poverty and are unableto return to their pre-war homes and thousands of people who disappearedduring the conflict are still missing.

Read on to find out how the Red Cross provides relief, hope and dignity to the most vulnerable and how you can help people in the Balkans today.

Close to one million people were

driven from their homes as a

result of the violence in 1999 –

the largest exodus of people in

Europe since WW II.

The Crisis

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The UN Food and Agricultural Organization ranked the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia as the country with the most difficult food

situation in Europe. They estimate that food aid is needed for

approximately two million people or about 20% of the population.

H O W W E H E L P

Novi Sad,YugoslaviaA woman and hergrandson pick uptheir ration for theday at one of the Red Cross soupkitchens.

In Yugoslavia, 1.5 million pensioners receive only $35 Canadian

each per month, more than a quarter of the people are unemployed and

the average monthly salary is $80. The grocery bill alone for a family of

four costs twice the average salary.

From 1999 to 2001, the Canadian Red Cross in partnership with the International

Committee of the Red Cross provided food to as many as 15,000 people a day at more than

90 distribution centres in the Vojvodina region of Serbia. Many of the recipients were

elderly, pensioners, disabled, homeless, unemployed, orphans and single-parent families.

Ontario native Steven Loyst, managed the soup kitchen project in Vojvodina. "I saw so

many people confronted by a future that made their dreams obsolete," said Loyst. "Parents

have watched their savings collapse and can barely afford to buy groceries. Children go to

school hungry and the elderly cannot pay for medicine, heat or electricity. Red Cross soup

kitchens are an important source of aid but so much more is needed. I tried to assure them

that others are listening in countries like Canada. I hope we can work toward ensuring that

all people in the Balkans will soon know a better future."

However, a better reality is still in the distant future for many. Changes in the Yugoslav

government have not brought immediate relief to people in need and it will be many

years before people will see benefits of these changes. Today, the repeal of price controls,

a dramatic increase in the cost of utilities and the introduction of an additional 20 percent

tax have exacerbated the hardships already borne by the most vulnerable.

Food

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Food

Kukës, AlbaniaDistributing bread to refugees from

Kosovo.

Water

H O W W E H E L P

One of the direct consequences of the conflict in Kosovo

was the widespread contamination of ground water sources.

10,000 wells in rural Kosovo were unsafe for drinking as they

were contaminated from waste, unexploded ammunition and

sometimes the bodies of people or animals. Much of the

contamination resulted from massive destruction of the

country’s infrastructure during the conflict or from neglect

as people fled the war.

More than half of the people living in rural Kosovo depended on these

wells as their only source of water. Lack of access to clean water added

to the hardships faced by returning refugees whose homes and villages

had been destroyed during the war.

Because of the great need for clean water, Red Cross sent teams of water sanitation

engineers to disinfect wells. Winnipeg native Glen Hanna led the well-sanitizing

operation in Kosovo.

One of Hanna’s projects was to help returning refugee Din Mehmeti.

When Mehmeti came home to Kosovo from Macedonia, he found his house in

ruins and a stench emanating from his family’s well. Beyond the safety of their

water, Mehmeti had another nagging concern. Two people from his village were

missing and he feared their bodies had been thrown into the well.

Novi Sad, Serbia The Red Cross supplies

drinking water to thelocal population.

Hanna confirmed that Mehmeti’s fears

were legitimate. “We’ve taken bodies

out of wells on occasion”, said Hanna.

“In addition to our immediate goal,

which is to clean wells, this brings

closure to victims’ families.”

The well-sanitizing team who came

to Mehmeti’s village arrived with a

generator, a pump and a rig to lower

one of its members into the well.

The assembled crowd watched

anxiously and covered their noses

as a foul smell was released from the

churning water. Eventually the smell’s

source – an animal’s carcass – was

hoisted up. The well was then pumped,

disinfected and ready for use again.

As a result of this Red Cross project,

55,000 people like Din Mehmeti in rural

Kosovo now have clean drinking water.

Water

Red Cross engineerscleaning a well.

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Gjakovë/Djakovica, KosovoFamilies reunited byRed Cross – anunforgettablemoment.

As millions of people fled the war and

abandoned their homes, many became separated

from family members and loved ones.

The suffering of families torn apart by war is

enormous and the task to re-establish family

links is immense.

H O W W E H E L P

As millions of people fled the war and abandoned their homes,

many became separated from family members and loved ones.

The suffering of families torn apart by war is enormous and

the task to re-establish family links is immense. The Red Cross helped make up for the

absence of normal means of communication by coordinating a network to restore these

links – both in areas directly affected by the conflict and in places receiving displaced

people and refugees. Mobile teams traveled to towns and villages throughout the region

gathering information on missing persons. They attempted to find the whereabouts of

lost relatives and connect people through the Red Cross network. Red Cross also gave

people the opportunity to find information about missing relatives through a unique

Family News Network web site.

Calgarian Vince Bodnar spent six months in Kosovo where he worked to find information

on people who went missing during the conflict.

“Families often have no idea if their loved ones are alive or dead,” Bodnar said. “While I

was in Kosovo, we received more than 10,000 inquiries for families looking for relatives

who have been missing since the conflict began. By securing information about people

whose fate is unknown, we help alleviate families' pain and uncertainty.”

There are more than 3,500 people still reported missing.

TogetherFamilies

Families

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Tetovo, Macedonia Woman contacting relatives

via mobile phone madeavailable by Red Cross.

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HOME CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE

Prior to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, an extensive social welfare network ensured

the elderly, disabled and sick were cared for. This system deteriorated steadily as a result of

conflicts, international sanctions, a deep economic crisis and the influx of more than half a

million refugees. This social safety net is now almost non-existent leaving the most

vulnerable groups of society without care.

To help, Red Cross is delivering life-saving services to many in their homes through mobile

health and social service teams. Volunteers are an essential part of this program assisting

with cleaning, cooking and other supports.

The Canadian Red Cross is providing funding and a home care specialist in the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia to help revitalize the home care program and strategically plan

for the future. In 2002, Red Cross will serve 7,000 beneficiaries who would otherwise be

without critical care.

FOOD SECURITY PILOT PROJECT

In the Balkans, soup kitchens are a common Red Cross response to food insecurity caused

by extreme poverty and conflict. However, soup kitchens are too expensive to sustain

beyond the emergency phase and can create dependency that does not serve the

population’s long-term well-being.

Six villages in Serbia where the Canadian Red Cross has supported soup kitchens in the

past have been selected to participate in a food security pilot project. Local teams are

researching and assessing food security needs of the most vulnerable within their

communities in the first phase of the project. In the second phase, these teams will

implement sustainable community-based solutions.

Balkans todayRed Cross in the

H O W W E H E L P

Red Crossi n t h e B a l k a n s t o d a y

The past decade of war, population movements, economic

hardship and natural disasters have wreaked havoc throughout

the Balkans. Despite political changes, the vulnerable in the

region will face hardships for many years to come as strife and

economic instability continue to plague the region.

In addition to the generosity of the Canadian public, the

Canadian International Development Agency contributed more

than $8 million to the Red Cross in the Balkans since 1999.

These funds have enabled the Red Cross to:

• protect and assist civilians from the consequences of renewed fighting;

• ensure the human dignity of detainees;

• warn civilians about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance;

• help refugees return to their homes in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina;

• prepare for future disasters in Macedonia and Albania;

• provide care for the elderly in Yugoslavia.

While the world's focus shifts to other events, the humanitarian crisis in the Balkans

persists. But one thing people living in this region can count on is that the Red Cross

will be there. Please help us continue our vital work by giving to the Red Cross.

An elderly lady displaced from Kosovo.

Canadian DelegatesAs part of the Canadian Red Cross’ support in the Balkans, Canadians of all backgrounds are

deployed to the field to share their skills and years of experience with those in need. Delegates

who have recently served in the Balkans include:

Sandra Allaire, Calgary, AlbertaHome Care Consultant, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Vince Bodnar, Calgary, AlbertaTracing Officer, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Pierre Boisvert, Montréal, QuebecProject Manager, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Don Bourne, Calgary AlbertaLogistics Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)and Macedonia

Donna Chanda, Newmarket, OntarioCooperation Delegate, Macedonia

Debra Chmara, Castlegar, British ColumbiaOrganizational Development Delegate, Albania

Serge Comeau, Moncton, New BrunswickProject Manager, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Robin Creelman, Truro, Nova ScotiaConvoyer, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Alain DaudrumezHead of Relief Operations, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Sue Featherstone, Ottawa, OntarioCooperation Coordinator, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Lori Galway, North York, OntarioField Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Serge Gaudreau, Gaspé, QuébecHealth Care Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Glenn Hanna, Winnipeg, ManitobaWater/Sanitation Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Artena Hutchison, Woodstock, OntarioHome Care Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Steven Loyst, Woodview, OntarioProject Manager, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Patrick Martin, Vercheres, QuébecAgronomist, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Sue Pfisterer, Calgary, AlbertaPyscho-Social Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)

Gary Redmond, Nanaimo, British ColumbiaProject Manager, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Claude Rioux, Calgary, AlbertaLogistics Administrator, Croatia

Jacqui Salmond, Kingston, OntarioRelief Delegate, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Lewis Silver, Kings County, Nova ScotiaConvoyer, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

H O W W E H E L P

Help now!Please donate to the Canadian Red Cross and help us continue our vital work. Please indicate “Balkans Reconstruction” when you are giving.

By PhoneTo make a donation by phone using your credit card,please call the Canadian Red Cross office in your areaor call toll free 1-800-418-1111.

By Mail Please send a cheque or money order to your local Red Crossoffice or mail to:

Canadian Red Cross “Balkan Reconstruction”170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300Ottawa, ON K2P 2P2

Learn moreTo learn more about the Red Cross and our workin Canada and abroad, call your local Red Crossoffice or visit us at www.redcross.ca.

YOU MAKE A

WORLDDIFFERENCE

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Refugee from Kosovo.

Donation Amount $

Name

Address

Postal Code

Phone ( ) E-mail

Cheque

Money Order

Please send a cheque or money order to yourlocal Red Cross office or mail to:

Canadian Red Cross “Balkan Reconstruction”170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300Ottawa, ON K2P 2P2

DONATE tothe Red Crossin the

thankyou

BALKANS

Red Cross

PrinciplesHumanity

Impartiality

Neutrality

Independence

Voluntary Service

Unity

Universality

Refugees listeningto broadcast.