Refugee returns from Kosovo to fYROM have continued
all over last week with a daily average of 800 a day (since 28 August).
Returnees have mainly gone through
Jazince border crossing and over the mountains towards the Tetovo region. From
Wednesday until last night, ethnic Macedonian protestors blocked the road
toward Tabanovce border with southern Serbia in addition to Blace road to
Kosovo which has been blocked for over 10 days now. Since the return movement started in July, more than 34,000
refugees have gone back from Kosovo. About 44,000 refugees remain in Kosovo,
with approximately up to 30,000 people remaining in the Gnilane/Gnjilane area
of responsibility alone.
Destination:
Some of the returnees
went to Skopje (Karposh area), using the by-pass through Blace to Shutka area.
Most of the returnees, however, have used the Jazince/Globocica border crossing
travelling by vans, buses, personal vehicles and by foot. Others went through the
mountains, mainly by foot. All were allowed to cross the border though several
only were in possession of UNMIK registration papers.
Most of the refugees
returning had stayed in Kosovo between 2½ - 7 months
Returnees were coming from Kacanik, Ferizaj, Rahovac, Vushtri, Prizren, Gjilan, Pristina and Podejeve. A large number of refugees returned to Tetovo town, others returned to Radusha, Veice, Sellce, Odri, Xherme, Lavce, Gjerme, Poroj, Shipkovica and Kumanova
UNHCR field teams have been out daily this week in
conflict‑affected villages around Tetovo and Kumanovo, assessing the
needs of returnees and those who have stayed through the conflict. UNHCR
advocates the rights of refugees and displaced people to return to their homes,
but remains concerned that NATO's limited presence in fYROM is giving a false
sense of security, as illustrated by the increasing rate of refugee returns
this week. Sporadic security incidents occur daily in areas where there is a
security vacuum and UNHCR field teams report that there remains a credible fear
and uneasiness for the future among the people who stayed in the conflict
affected areas as well as among the displaced people.
UNHCR Kosovo 3 September 2001.