Agenda

2.Overview of the activities of the Macedonian Red Cross and ICRC/IFRC
ICRC informed the group that because of the roomers for massive return of IDPs in the villages of Skopska Crna Gora (Brest, Malino Malo and Lukare) their teams visited the villages and assessed the number of returnees. According to their assessment in the village of Brest there are 280 people (100 newly returned), in Malino Maalo 20 people (14 newly returned) and in village of Lukare 68 people (almost one half- 30, newly returned).

The process of de-registration, conducted by the MRC, is ongoing, as well as the distribution of food for IDPs in CCs.

3.Update by other UN Agencies & Donors
UNDP informed the group that the rehabilitation of the water supply system in the "Titiovi pioneri" collective centre was finalised, last weekend.

Mr Kim Johnson, new UNDP Programme Officer was presented to the group.

WHO reported that the ARC’s medical mobile teams started with primary health care provision for the returnees and resident population in the Lipkovo area on the 16 April.

The issue of financial reimbursement for the prescribed medicines and referrals is still open. Ministry of Health together with the medical centre Kumanovo will try to solve this issue as soon as possible.

The ambulanta in the village of Radusa is completed and Ministry of Health is expected to appoint a doctor.

UNICEF has finalised the school material distribution in the 127 primary schools in the conflict regions and in schools that had big IDP students influx.

Rehabilitation of 9 schools is due to start next week.

ECHO’s implementing partners started the potato distribution last week. Rehabilitation of the schools and ambulantas in the villages of Gosince, Vaksince and Lojane were completed.

WFP reported that the food distribution for IDPs in CCs is conducted by ICRC/MRC, while for IDPs in host families by the ECHO’s implementing partner InterSos.

IOM continues with support of 215 IDPs hosted in CCs in Kumanovo, by provision of free monthly bus tickets.

4.Update on UN activities, OCHA
UNHCR has started the 2^nd phase of its shelter programme and plans to repair an additional 600 Cat. 1 and 2 houses that will cover all damaged houses in these two categories. There is an outstanding need for funding for reconstruction of around 900 houses cat III & IV, as one of the main precondition for IDP returnee and confidence building measure.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and UNMAS, Handicap International and Care International, providing for deployment of 12 additional clearance teams is expected to be signed this week. The issue of additional funds for clearance activities is still open and very important as the further shelter activities and police re-deployment in 15 villages are pending.

OCHA together with the UN Country team has prepared a mid–year review of CAP 2002 and additional US$22 million are needed for implementation of the planned activities until the end of the year.

The transitional process is ongoing and the sector groups, including new one (Community projects, Legal framework and Economic recovery) are meeting on a regular basis. The ultimate goal of this process is phasing down of humanitarian assistance and concentrating all efforts on the developmental issues.

5.Update on local NGOs’ activities (Union of women’s organisations of the Republic of Macedonia)
The Local NGO representative emphasised that the local coordination is consisting of 12 local NGOs and appealed for better collaboration and co-ordination between international and local NGOs to contribute the confidence building and IDP return.

Union of women’s organisation of the Republic of Macedonia, said that returnees also need some basic furnishings and people should be assisted with this too.

This process will end with a National NGO Congress in October during which NGOs will gather input for a "White Paper" on development needs of the country. The paper will be presented to the government, national and international actors.

The International NGO Council has moved to a new office. The address and telephone numbers will be soon shared with all partners.

AOB
None.