The first load of a large number of cattle arrived in Kosovo at the beginning of October as part of the Emergency Farm Reconstruction Project for Kosovo. The project, funded by the World Bank and the government of the Netherlands, and implemented through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, in close coordination with UNMIK, will provide cattle and farm machinery to families in need in selected priority municipalities having suffered most agricultural and housing damages. These families have been selected through a selection process with a strong emphasis on the selection by the local communities themselves which took into account criteria such as losses, need, number of children, and farming experience and reputation. The project will also support the rehabilitation of the veterinary services in Kosovo and strengthen the capacity of the Department of Agriculture under the Joint Interim Administrative Structure (JIAS). The project funding available to date allows for the reconstruction in three out of eight priority municipalities in Kosovo, as well as rehabilitating veterinary services and supporting UNMIK's Department of Agriculture. With total project costs estimated at around US$25.0 million there is a funding gap of US$13.2 million, and UNMIK is actively seeking additional donor support.