Macedonia

The Kosovo War that raged between March 1998 and June 1999 resulted in a mass exodus of Kosovars to Macedonia and neighboring countries. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL was urgently drafted to the country to provide aid to refugees as well as to Macedonians, whose living conditions had been severely impacted by this flow of migrants.

From April 1999 onwards, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL provided emergency assistance for Kosovar refugees in camps on the Macedonian border. Water and sanitation facilities were installed to supply safe drinking water and ensure decent sanitary conditions.
At the end of the war, while the refugees were returning to Kosovo, our teams also helped Macedonians living in 17 villages close to the border. These villagers had taken in refugees, but were also very poor themselves and needed humanitarian assistance. Various operations were carried out: distributions of food and hygiene parcels, rehabilitation of 30 schools, hygiene awareness campaigns.
Between 2000 and 2003, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL teams rehabilitated houses and schools and built water infrastructure and medical facilities (water treatment systems, water supply networks, health centres), for the benefit of 57,000 people.

Quotes from our archives:

In Macedonia, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has specialized in rehabilitating schools, health centres, water treatment systems and water supply networks. These structural rehabilitation projects cover two areas: the area directly affected by the crisis, where the aim is to heal the scars left by war, and the rest of Macedonia where it is necessary to repair or even build certain infrastructure. This is especially true in rural areas, where roads, water and electricity networks and public buildings are in a state of disrepair, which has dire consequences for local communities.

Anne Bideau, Head of Mission in Macedonia for SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL

Should you have any questions, please contact Emmanuel Rinck