| WASHINGTON
- March 30 - Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) yesterday made the
decision to leave Kosovo. The last team of three members has withdrawn to
Belgrade due to the deteriorating security situation in Pristina, where they
were based. Increasing hostility toward foreigners made any humanitarian work
impossible. The Doctors Without Borders stocks in warehouses north of Pristina
and in the western city of Pec are reported to have been looted. No humanitarian
organization is now left working in Kosovo.
Although the team in Pristina was not able to travel outside of Pristina to
assess the situation, it was clear from reports that violence in the province
had increased. Doctors Without Borders continues to be present in Yugoslavia;
teams are currently conducting needs assessments in Montenegro, as well as in
neighboring Macedonia. A team of eight international aid workers is preparing to
begin aiding the refugees in Albania, and a full charter of supplies has been
sent. Health care needs already identified include treatment for foot injuries
incurred on the long journey from Kosovo, water and sanitation supplies,
blankets, and nutritional supplements. Doctors Without Borders will seek to
return to Kosovo as soon as possible.
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