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Minutes of the Host Families
Assitance Co-ordination Meeting In attendance were:
Updates The Chairperson reminded of the points discussed at the previous meeting and remarked that a significant progress had been made with regard to providing assistance to host families since the beginning of activities. In this respect is the ECHO contribution of hygiene parcels to host families, the distribution of which has already started. He also noted that after UNICEF's vulnerability assessment of host families (HF) and IDPs is completed, there would be a clear picture of the needs and actions to be taken. The Chairperson also followed up on the issue of the alleged cash assistance of 250 DEM per family announced earlier in the local media in quote of Macedonian Government sources. The Government was preparing a strategy on cash assistance to host families, which they were planning to present to potential donors. The Chairperson reported on the meeting he had with the Chair of the Crisis Management Body, the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Filipovski, at which he had been informed about the Government proposal on combination of cash and in-kind assistance which was to be prepared by the week to follow and was expected to be supported and covered by different donors. Cash assistance to host families Swiss Embassy Humanitarian Unit/SDR presented its cash for host families project and informed that the draft is ready and they are waiting for the credit proposal to be signed. The project will target HFs that have accommodated at least 2 IDPs who were covered with the 3rd distribution of assistance. This is a retroactive program, the implementation of which will be conducted in accordance with the MRC list of beneficiaries. The first tranche to the amount of 1.3 million DEM will be paid out in September and will cover three to four retroactive months (the period from March until June). The second tranche will provide the allowance for July; the third one will cover the financial assistance for August and so on. The initial monthly assistance of 70 DEM per family is to increase to 100 DEM during the winter period. The implementation dynamics will largely depend on the security situation and IDPs movements in and out. SDR is expecting that, as the implementation of the project proves feasible, there will be opportunities for other donors or agencies to join. Prior to the start of the project, there will be consultations with MRC and work on braking down the info on IDPs available from MRC database. Furthermore, if there is no verification of the eligibility of the beneficiaries, there will be a temporary postponement of activities in that region. Once a go ahead is granted, there will be public announcements in order to inform the communities of the oncoming activities. All local NGOs are welcome to join and help in the implementation of the project. In-kind assistance to host families Mr. Biondi (ECHO) informed that in terms of in-kind assistance, ECHO donated 20 DEM worth in hygiene parcels that are distributed monthly to the host families. As for further assistance, ECHO is waiting for the results of the UNICEF led assessment of host families' needs and the WFP led assessment on food needs that are currently taking place. The Chairperson thanked ECHO and pointed out the importance of encouraging all donors to join the efforts of assisting host families. Assessment of host families needs UNICEF representative briefed on the UNICEF led vulnerability assessment to which CARE general assessment of HF was recently merged. The assessment, now titled "Vulnerability Assesement of IDP and Host Families" has started. 30 teams of 60 people are conducting the assessment and mid September is set up as a deadline for the data to be gathered. The findings will be incorporated into a database and shared with all agencies and organisations interested and involved in providing assistance to IDPs and host families. The UNICEF representative also informed that UNICEF had established mobile response teams that are to address urgent vulnerable cases that may be identified in course of the assessment. ECHO suggested that UNICEF should make the preliminary results available in order to facilitate more constructive sectoral discussions. European Perspective reported on the Greek Government
grant. It would cover minor repair of 120 - 140, and possibly up to 300,
houses. Self-repair approach will be taken in cases where upgrading of
accommodation was valued at less than 1,000 German Marks, while contractors
would be engaged in cases exceeding that amount. Summary of agreed action points
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