Still no help from Kosovo for Ukrainian displaced

Despite calls by several humanitarian organisations on social networks, Kosovo remains the only country in the Western Balkans to have gathered no aid to the war-displaced population in Ukraine.

In the first three weeks of the war, the number of refugees who fled Ukraine has passed Three million.

Most of them are located in Poland and other neighbouring Ukraine, but several dozen have already reached Western Balkan countries, such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Kosovo has expressed, too, readiness For accepting 5,000 refugees.

Kosovo Foreign Affairs and Diaspore Minister Donika Grovalla has said on March 9th that the government is considering the possibility of creating a fund to come to the aid of those fleeing from violence in Ukraine.

Contacted by Radio Free Europe for more details about fund creation, The MPJD has not responded.

From the humanitarian association “Mother Teresa” in Kosovo, they say they are awaiting the creation of this fund, so that they can then launch action for collection.

We have not announced this action yet, because I expect this initiative to be formalised. Then go public and ask for help from local producers to help in this direction... But, even citizens give, whether it's food products or other necessary material”, says Association Chairman “Mother Teresa”, Zef Shala.

Kosovo's Red Cross has published a bank account in social media, urging citizens to offer financial assistance to displaced Ukrainians.

We have preferred financial assistance so that they can later be transferred directly to the Ukrainian Red Cross bank account”, says Armend Shala, official for public relations in this organisation.

Although the bank account has been public for days, no means have yet been transferred.

Calls to help Ukrainian refugees have made another humanitarian organisation “Carias Kosova”, in co-ordination with the sister organisation “Carias Europe”.

This organisation has called on social networks to donate money and food.

Its executive director, Alfred Peter, says that no financial means and no food packages have been collected so far.

Despite that, some citizens surveyed by Radio Free Europe in Pristina say they are willing to help and house refugees from Ukraine if they come to Kosovo.

Hajrije Muciqi, a pensioner, says she has a house downtown and that she is willing to share it with those displaced from the war.

For 3-4, there's room in our house. Whatever we eat for ourselves, we'll share it with them, says Hajrija.

Her husband, Sylejmani, says he has not seen the calls of humanitarian organisations to collect refugee aid.

We ourselves have experienced war, deportation and know how much aid is needed. I can prepare packages of food, clothing, toilet goods. But, so far, there is no movement by humanitarian associations”, he says.

Willing to help Ukrainian refugees, educator Nexmije Bojaj is also expressed.

Subsequently, of course, a food package, financial assistance, as much as we possibly have”, she says.

Unlike Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are taught that several amounts of aid to Ukrainian refugees have been collected, including food, clothing, toilet tools, medicine and monetary donations.

The Red Cross in Albania, for ten days, has raised funds on squares and roads for displaced Ukrainians.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, some organisations have launched an action with telephone operators, where with a telephone call to a certain number, a euro is earmarked for Ukrainian citizens.

In Montenegro, in addition to the donation of food, sanitation and clothing products, there has been a voluntary blood donation to the needs of hospitals in Ukraine.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Croatia has invited citizens to extend donations to Ukraine's children.

In Serbia and in Northern Macedonia, Through the Red Cross and other organizations, food, clothing, and medicine have been collected. / REL