From ICRC NEWS 10
In the last few days, ICRC and Macedonian
Red Cross teams have distributed emergency relief to around 500 of the
estimated 800 villagers who fled the fighting between security forces and
ethnic Albanian armed groups in the Crna Gora region of the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia.
Most of the villagers arrived in Aracinovo, near the capital Skopje, last week after the fighting broke out. Others also fled to the town of Lipkovo, near Kumanovo. The arrivals had reportedly stopped over the weekend as tensions eased. The ICRC will continue to monitor the situation, especially in view of the fighting reported yesterday in and around the town of Tetovo.
On-the-spot assessments carried out immediately by the ICRC and the MRC showed that most of the displaced were women and children, many in a state of exhaustion. Most appeared to be seeking refuge with relatives. Distributions of individual food parcels and baby kits have already started in Aracinovo, with more to follow in the Kumanovo area. The ICRC is the only organization currently delivering such assistance.
Further information: Amanda Williamson, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 2678 / ++ 41 79 217 3216.