I. Introduction

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is engaged in a wide-ranging operation to provide emergency relief and long-term help for victims of the conflict in Kosovo. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from nine different countries are involved, along with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The activities are coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

II. Missing persons and detainees

The ICRC is keeping up its efforts to shed light on the fate and whereabouts of the 3,781 persons still missing in connection with the Kosovo conflict. It submits the names of missing persons and details on the circumstances of their disappearance to representatives of all the former parties to the conflict and all the authorities concerned, stressing the families' right to know what has become of their missing relatives. In close cooperation with the UNMIK Police/Missing Persons Unit, the ICRC is also collecting ante-mortem data from close relatives of the missing.

So that it can coordinate the activities of the various authorities and humanitarian agencies involved, the ICRC is continuing to chair the Working Group on Missing Persons which, every two weeks, brings together representatives of the UNMIK Police/Missing Persons Unit, the UNMIK Bureau for Detainees and Missing Persons, KFOR Main, the OSCE, the International Commission for Missing Persons and the Forensic Institute in Pristina.

As part of its family-oriented approach, the ICRC is also pursuing its visits to detainees in Kosovo and Serbia proper. Last year it accompanied 482 released Albanian detainees back home. In January 2002, five released prisoners were transferred from Serbia to Kosovo. The ICRC arranged 20 family visits in 2001 and one in January 2002.

In Kosovo, the ICRC visits persons deprived of their freedom and held under the responsibility of KFOR or UNMIK.

III. Mine awareness

Since 1999, the ICRC has been systematically collecting information about the presence of mines and details of mine incidents in villages under threat from mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). In the last two months of 2001, staff visited 150 villages in order to consider, together with the community, how the presence of mines/UXO affects the inhabitants' daily lives and how they can avoid risks. On the basis of information provided by the inhabitants and through regular contacts with Red Cross volunteers, needs were assessed and mine-awareness presentations were given to adults and children. With the transfer of responsibilities from the United Nations Mine Action Coordinating Centre to Kosovo institutions, the ICRC started assisting the Institute of Public Health by providing personnel involved in mine/UXO data collection with training and support.

IV. Promoting humanitarian law

As part of its mandate to promote international humanitarian law, the ICRC plans to conduct workshops and seminars for instructors and senior officers of the Kosovo Protection Corps and the Kosovo Police Service.

In December 2001, the ICRC held a five-day pilot workshop on human rights law for police instructors. A total of 18 international and national staff attended the course, which was conducted by two specialized ICRC trainers at the Kosovo Police Service school in Vushtrri/Vucitrn. International humanitarian law was also included in the programme.

In addition, the ICRC is continuing to give presentations on its work and mandate to contingents of KFOR as well as to Penal Management staff of UNMIK.

In September 2001 the ICRC published a study on the impact of armed conflict on women. The study, entitled "Women Facing War", examines the plight and needs of women in wartime, provides an overview of the ICRC's work relating to women and draws attention to the protection afforded by international humanitarian law. In December a round table was held in Pristina to mark the launch of a campaign based on the study. Eleven key personalities representing different communities – Kosovo Albanian, Serb, Bosniac and Ashkali – aired their views and exchanged their ideas on the theme "Women as positive actors in defusing violence and preventing armed conflict", concluding that women can play a crucial role in building peace.

Finally, the ICRC mission in Kosovo produced calendars, in English, Albanian and Serbian, with humanitarian messages relating to the Red Cross Movement. These calendars have been widely distributed.

V. Health care

The Red Cross has long experience in conducting health support programmes. The ICRC recently completed its renovation work in Mitrovica hospital, which centred on repairs to the electrical, heating and sanitation systems. The ICRC also purchased a new incinerator and installed it in the hospital to dispose of clinical waste.

The Italian Red Cross provided support for mother and child care projects in an effort to decrease morbidity and mortality. The first project, at Pejë/Pec hospital, covered obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric services, which have been functioning since September 2000 following renovation work. Preventive medicine and vaccinations were also an integral part of the project. The Italian Red Cross is continuing to provide logistic support for the WHO immunization programme in the region.

In 2001 the Italian Red Cross rebuilt a seriously damaged building (1,000 sq.m.) for outpatients requiring specialized medical care. Heating, ventilation and electricity were installed, 10 outpatient units were completed on the first floor and supplied and equipped, and a training course was held to upgrade staff skills. The new regional hospital will be inaugurated on 27 February. The Italian Red Cross also donated an ambulance to the Pejë/Pec Maternal and Child Dispensary.

With the support of the ICRC, the French Red Cross recently completed the construction of a 24-bed paediatric and internal medicine health facility in Lapje Selo which now serves 37,000 people living in Gracanica, Lipjan/Lipljan, Obiliq/c and Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje. The facility consists of 20 beds, with a pharmacy and a laboratory. There is also an emergency ward with a four-bed intensive-care unit and X-ray and ultrasound equipment. The Italian Red Cross provided a number of prefabricated units for the building and additional medical supplies and equipment.

The Turkish Red Crescent provides medical consultations and drugs for the most vulnerable through its mobile clinic and its office in Prizren. An average of 750 patients are seen every month. Moreover, the Turkish Red Crescent supplies relief items for those in need. Village representatives prepare the lists of beneficiaries and distributions are organized in cooperation with the local Red Cross. From July 1999 to December 2001 more than 37,600 families (218,430 people) received assistance.

Training is an important part of health-care projects. The Swiss Red Cross is helping to develop the professional skills of doctors and nurses though a training centre in Pejë/Pec. The Belgian Red Cross provides training in maternal and child care for the medical staff of rural family health centres in the municipality of Suharekë/Suva Reka.

VI. Children affected by armed conflicts

War has a particularly traumatic effect on children and can have a negative impact on their development. With a view to promoting peaceful coexistence between the various communities living in Kosovo, the Danish Red Cross has set up a psycho-social programme aimed at restoring children's self-confidence and self-esteem, rebuilding their identities and, as is often needed, breaking the silence within families.

The Danish programme targets school classes, since reintegration and acceptance by classmates is essential to avoid stigmatization. Since 1999, around 6,000 children and 350 teachers have taken part in the programme, which is being carried out in Vushtrri/Vucitrn, Skënderaj/Srbica, Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavic and Zvecan.