Refugees and Asylum 31100

Serbia is not on Europe's doorstep: it is Europe's front room. It is therefore no commendation of European governments that the humanitarian relief effort continues to be severely hampered by underfunding. News this week of the European Union's rapid action, following President Kostunica's election to make EUR 200 million available in emergency assistance is therefore especially timely.

Three quarters of a million refugees are facing the rigours of the Balkan winter without satisfactory accommodation or even guarantees of a sufficiency of food and warmth. Many of these are Kosovar Serbs, who fled from Kosovo after the Serbian military withdrawal. They face a second winter as refugees. Many are being forced to relocate within Serbia as they overstay their welcome in municipalities with devastated economies says the UN High Commission for Refugees, which is appealing for more funds.

"More families are requesting to move to already crowded centres, originally set up for refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, while others feel they have no choice but to return to Kosovo," said a spokesman for the agency. However, despite the recent elections which passed off peacefully, the current situation in the province is still dangerous for Serbs while Bernard Kouchner, Head of Kosovo's UN Administration, has appealed to refugees and hosting governments to delay returns until the winter is passed.

Hit by a severe funding shortfall UNHCR was forced early this year to cut its assistance programme for Serbia and Montenegro from $65 million to $37.5 million, leaving funds only for life-saving aid such as heating and food.

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