UNMIK/PR/725
UNMIK has deposited euro 500,000 allocated from contingency funds into a new bank account to manage the Earthquake Emergency Fund (EEF), established by SRSG Michael Steiner this week. UNMIK’s emergency program is set to be operational by Monday.
The UNMIK Regional Administrator for Gjilan/Gnjilane has opened a bank account to manage the fund at the regional level. However, due to the ongoing strike at the BPK bank in Gjilan, the account has been opened with BPK in Ferizaj/Urosevac. The bank strike thus created some delay in getting funds as quickly as possible to those who need assistance.
Each of the four affected municipalities (Gjilan/Gnjilane, Viti/Vitina, Kamenica and Novo Brdo) will open sub-accounts to ensure transparent management of the EEF, with the Municipal Administrator of each affected municipality having responsibility for management and oversight of the Fund.
The EEF will be used mainly for in-kind assistance to individuals and families. UNMIK will target funds from the EEF to the most vulnerable cases. In exceptional circumstances, families in extreme situations may be eligible for cash assistance of up to euro 20. NGOs and donor agencies will provide additional support for the relief effort.
Assessment and repair of public buildings, clinics and schools will be the responsibility of the respective Ministries.
Municipal Crisis Committees of international and local technicians and engineers in cooperation with UNMIK officials and engineering teams, have been established to assess the extent and level of damage and categorize affected buildings and families according to established criteria.
