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Prizren suffered under the violent attacks of Albanian extremists on March 17 and 18 the most serious damages and devastation of Serbian shrines – churches and monasteries, as well as the murders and physical maltreatment of Serbs, the destructions of Serbian houses and expelling them.
Long time after exodus of Serbs in 1999, Prizren was the most hermetically closed town for Serbs regarding visiting the town and free movement. The situation started to improve in 2002, so that our organization took part in that process and its contribution was proven.
Without support of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to Sveti Spas Prizren would become again the town unattainable for IDPs, but thanks to it the activities were continued regarding GO and SEE project and preparing the conditions for the return of internally displaced persons.
During first two months of program implementation, according to the recommendations of UNHCR and UNMIK ORC offices regarding the security, we, as well as the visits of Smac and Gornja Srbica villages realized two visits to the villages in Sredacka Zupa. The purpose of such an activity was to enable the realization of the necessary conditions for the return process in Gornja Srbica and Smac. During the mentioned activities the security situation was monitored in order to realize the continuation of GSV of the IDP houses in town of Prizren as well as the creating the conditions for their free movement through town. In spite of fact that mentioned conditions, according to the estimation of UNMIK – ORG Prizren and UN – OLC, were met already in September, up to the end of project implementation our organization did not get the official logistic support by UNHCR Prizren regarding field security and organized visit of IDP houses in town of Prizren.
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Even without UNHCR logistic support, the pronounced desire of IDPs for the return to their houses in their town resulted, through the engagement of our organization and the interest of IDPs, in GSV, whose number exceeded the expected estimations. The conditions for the repeated contacts with neighbors, the meetings and visits of usurped houses were realized through permanent occurrences of IDP beneficiaries in town. Their Albanian neighbors and friends assisted their permanent occurrences. In spite of attained results, more regular and safer procedure is, in our opinion, the one recommended by The Manual of Sustainable Return, including logistic support by certain institutions in the field.
GSV organized by Sveti Spas were specific. They differed from the others as the beneficiaries were able to stay a few days, even weeks with their relatives, and in some circumstances in own houses. Several times, during project implementation, it happened that GSV beneficiary decided to stay in his house, and GSV turned to return. However, in such cases the international humanitarian organizations did not supply the returnees with usual welcome assistance, or it was delivered in smaller amount after our urgencies.
Evaluation
In 2004 27 GSV were realized and 121 IDP participated them.
48 beneficiaries returned to Prizren region.
28 houses were built for them.
Increased number of young people was a participant in GSV and in return process.
From August 2000, when GSV started till the end of 2004, 733 IDPs were included in mentioned activities.
Chart no 1. shows visits to region of Prizren per year
• 2000. – 66 beneficiaries
• 2001. – 55 beneficiaries
• 2002. – 213 beneficiaries
• 2003. – 278 beneficiaries
• 2004. (period July - December) - 121 beneficiaries
NOTE: In spite of high interest for GO and SEE visits, the total number of beneficiaries in 2004 was reduced due to security reasons. Our estimation was that organizing smaller groups of visitors would be safer.
In reporting period was significantly increased the number of beneficiaries who visited the town of Prizren thanking to possibilities of more intensive visits to the town. The Graphic 2 shows the number of visits by places in period 2000-2000, when actual visits to the town started in last month of the year.
Chart no. 2 indicates number of visits / places in period July-December 2004
Chart no. 3 indicates number of visits / places in period 2000-2004. Noticed changes relate only to rural areas. In 2004, there was no officially organized visit to town. Last column in the bar chart indicates GO and SEE activities in town of Prizren, during 2003.
Chart 3.
Number of services given to the beneficiaries of Sveti Spas vs. temporary addresses of IDPs who participated in GSV is as follows:
Chart 4.
CONCLUSION
In period July-December 2004, the association “Sveti Spas”, supported by Norwegian Refugee Council, gave its services through SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN for 121 internally displaced persons. Since the start of GO and SEE Project in September 2000 until the end of 2004, “SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN” was provided for 733 persons.
The result of continuous activities of our association is, including SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN, the return of internally displaced persons in villages of Sredacka Zupa, in 2002.
Thanks to the cooperation of associations “Sveti Spas” and “Zavicaj” from Kragujevac, as well good cooperation of these two organizations with international non-governmental organizations, return to village Novake was also initiated and supported, in Through our activities as well as SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN in 2004, the returns to the village Stajkovce were realized, and through the cooperation with association “Zavicaj za Povratak” from Kragujevac, returns to villages Smac and Gornja Srbica were realized, too.
Our activities covered the organization of GO and SEE visits, interethnic dialogue and mediation during the meetings of Municipal Working Groups. Regretfully Sveti Spas was not able to assist our beneficiaries after they return, and they felt left and neglected. As they could not understand the way of functioning of NGO sector. They could not realize, from one side, our interests for the situation in the field and the return, and lack of further assistance and support upon return. They were not introduced in our constant interest for returnees through good cooperation with international organizations in the field.
However, we assume that we were of great help and one of the most important links for return and deciding – to integrate or to return.
Possibilities of our active participation in Municipal Working Group meetings in Prizren, made our association the influential factor considering return of internally displaced persons in region of Prizren.
Number of beneficiaries interested in GO and SEE visits and return, especially in town of Prizren, is still high. More than two years around 150 internally displaced persons are on the list for visiting the town. In the following period, great contribution in making decision regarding returning or integrating should be provided by Housing and Property Claims Commission. Unfortunately, up to now this organization has been sending only passive and negative signs to internally displaced persons.
Future process of return will depend on support to our or some other local non-governmental organization, which will be able to actively deal with this matter/region. Setting aside the informing of internally displaced people regarding conditions in the field could give very negative effects to complete process of returning.
Return without SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE RETURN is an activity without solid base.
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The realisation of project supported by
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