REFUGEE PROJECT

April '99 The situation in Pogradec, regarding the refugees is not catastrophic, because at this moment in time there are only 2000, but in the next few days we are expecting more. As you are aware, some months ago, together with all other Christian organisations in the area, we formed an association called P.E.P. (Pogradec Encouragement Project). As an association, at this moment in time, we are taking care of approximate 1300 refugees. They are divided in groups and each organisation has the responsibility of one of these groups. As the Apostolic Church, we have the responsibility of one group of approximate 330 people. Before our arrival, the refugees were assisted in a military base, by about a hundred young soldiers on behalf of the local government, however they did not deal properly with the state of emergency in the camp; some of the food that the local council was bringing them for the refugees was being purloined by the officials, the hygienic and environmental conditions were very dangerous, there are no showers, the sewers are blocked, there are no beds and no medical assistance. The risk of an epidemic is very high. Due to the circumstances, the psychological conditions of the people are tragic. Some have told us of event that one would not even see in the worst of horror films. During the first days we distributed supplies for personal hygiene, for the cleaning and sterilising of the environment, blankets and mattresses, etc. etc.. Most of the necessary supplies needed for the refugees comes directly from the churches in Germany. Hence the most important need is money to meet the expenses for organising and buying the things that are missing. Now we are arranging the evangelization amongst the refugees, using both Christian films and personal contacts, "healing" the psychological wounds caused by the traumatic experiences that they have been through especially the children and the elderly. Please pray for us because during this time we are working in the camp for about 12 hours each day, and there are many problems to resolve, but despite all this , we are confident because we know we are doing the will of the Lord. We are still working in our groups in the villages, however less intensely. With regard to the general situation in this area it is calm. May '99   We as Apostolic Church are responsible for a center divided in three buildings occupied by 350 Kosovo Albanians in all. In the first days of the work, it was very exhausting because the situation we found in this camp (before handled by the military) was very bad. Almost all of these people arrived in Pogradec through Macedonia, where they had to leave those little personal things that they had. Practically we have had to provide every thing for them, from personal underwear to daily things. Every day we need to organise the kitchen, where there are four Albanians working, and distribute hygienic and personal material, from the P.E.P (an organisation of 11 evangelical missions in Pogradec) warehouse or bought in the town market. Besides we have done a lot of plumber and electrical and canalisation works inside the camp. P.E.P takes care of six different camps with about 1300 Kosovo Albanians, in all, and 1000 other people that live in private houses. Besides, at about 7km from Pogradec, the Greek army has built tends and they are handling it, together with a camp hospital for about 1000 people (for the moment there are about 500), but as you know living in the tends is very uncomfortable. We expect newcomers everyday (Pogradec is a town the borders on Macedonia), but almost everyone for the moment is being taken to other neighbouring towns.

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The Apostolic Church in Albania is member of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance, and Foundation