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Racing Against Winter to Help Kosovo's Homeless
Months of conflict have led to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons living without shelter as the cold of winter quickly approaches
"Yesterday I met families living in plastic tents whose villages had gone up in smoke after being shelled and looted. I also visited a four-room house that contained over 200 people--all ill from bad water and malnutrition. Thousands of people are certain to die from exposure if such conditions persist. Time is of the essence in getting these homeless persons into winter shelters and doing whatever else we can to prevent the tragic situation from becoming even worse."
--Chalon Lee, Director of the World Vision
Yugoslavia program (Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro).
In Kosovo, government forces have waged a massive and prolonged offensive against scores of ethnic Albanian settlements. An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 internally displaced persons are now scattered throughout much of Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania.
The escalating humanitarian emergency in Kosovo has taken on an added dimension as the onset of winter is only weeks away. Temperatures have dropped and seasonal rains have begun.
In addition to assistance already being delivered, shelter rehabilitation has become an urgent priority with some 30,000 homes in Kosovo badly damaged or destroyed.
World Vision has established a new office in Podgorica, Montenegro, and is launching an extensive winterization program. Food, winter clothes, medical supplies, plastic sheeting, stoves, and shoes will be distributed.
Join with World Vision as we pray for peace and reconciliation in this region and for children and their families to have food and shelter during the winter and hope for the future.
Demonstrations in Cambodia
World Vision Cambodia is on alert as demonstrations between the Hun Sen-led governing party and the pro-opposition continue daily on the streets of Phnom Penh. Tensions remain high, and there are no solutions to the political impasse or civil unrest in sight.
Reports from Cambodia on Septem-ber 15 also indicate there have been some violent clashes between the pro-opposition demonstrators and police.
Please keep Cambodia in your prayers for a successful and peaceful outcome to talks between parties, for restraint on all sides, for the many Cambodians who are hoping and praying for a better future, and for World Vision staff.
Bangladesh Floods Ravage Country
Nearly two months after floods first hit Bangladesh, two-thirds of the country remains under water. This flood is now described as the worst in Bangladesh's recorded history. More than 900 people have died and over 300 million are now homeless. In some areas, there is no visible land and people are living in small boats anchored to treetops.
Two-thirds of Dhaka, the country's capital city, is submerged. The highly contaminated flood water is causing deadly occurrences of diarrhea and disease. Hospitals have nearly three times more patients than capacity.
Rice fields also are flooded, meaning there is no work for the 85 percent of the population dependent on agriculture. Approximately 3 million tons of rice lie rotting under water, seriously impacting already stretched food supplies.
The needs of the victims are overwhelming the Bangladesh government. Unless this beleaguered country receives food and medical aid immediately, millions may face death.
World Vision Bangladesh has worked nonstop to distribute food, safe water, and medicines. Please pray that the waters will recede and that Bangladesh will recover from the devastation.
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