Memorandum submitted by the Department
for International Development
KOSOVO (Third Report 1998-99)
Balkans update: situation in Kosovo & DFID's
involvement; commitments of main multilaterals.
Since January 2000, DFID has been developing a programme
of strategically focussed technical assistance to support capacity
building in the Joint Interim Administrative Structure (JIAS).
This complements the £33 million programme which we contribute
through the EC. The technical assistance strategy, to which DFID
has committed £5 million per year over a 3 year period, focuses
on seven key areas: the protection of civil and political rights;
support to successful local elections; the restructuring of public
sector enterprises; the establishment of an efficient and accountable
health administration; the development and implementation of social
policies; the development of public sector personnel policies
and structures; and strengthening of civil society.
The main burden of reconstruction efforts will be
supported by the European Commumity. The new European Agency for
Reconstruction took over from the former EC Task Force at the
end of February. It has prepared and secured Member States' approval
for major programmes on energy, water supply, housing and transport,
economic reconstruction and health. Its budget for 2000 is up
to 360 million euros, of which the UK contributes 54 million euros.
DFID provides the UK member of the Management Board of the Agency.
We are working closely to ensure that our activities are complementary.
The World Bank has established a Trust Fund for Kosovo.
We are working closely with the Bank, particularly in social policy.
We are working with the Bank on health finance; arrangements for
a survey of poverty in Kosovo; and the development of long-term
social policies.
DFID will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation
in case a new emergency arises, and has made financial provision
for this. We have also committed some £8 million for humanitarian
mine action this financial year.
Donor support to Albania & Macedonia.
In the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis, and further
to the pledges made at the Rome Donors Conference in 1999, the
UK has committed £5.5m to Macedonia and £8m to Albania,
effective from 1 April 2000 for a period of 3 years.
DFID is working within the framework of the Stability
Pact to enhance Macedonia's capacity to conduct regional and international
trade. DFID is carrying out work in the area of public administration
reform, and supported the World Bank's Public Expenditure and
Institutional Review. We will also assist the World Bank in designing
a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in partnership with the Government.
DFID assisted the Government of Macedonia in negotiating a Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with the EU, which is close to completion.
DFID also continues to support the development of the SME sector
in Macedonia and is working to strengthen the provision of Advice
and Information Services for citizens.
In Albania, DFID is working with the Government to
progress the reform of public administration and to improve the
management of public funds. We continue to work to strengthen
the key health care institutions in partnership with the World
Bank. We are also supporting the World Bank's Social Service Reform
Programme and the establishment of the Medium Term Expenditure
Framework.
Further strands of UK support include improving the
livelihoods of rural communities, and establishing citizens' advice
and information services.
Agreement between DFID & UNHCR
DFID published an Interim Strategy Paper on UNHCR
in July 2000 as a framework for future co-operation. This sets
out DFID's intention to work with UNHCR to help strengthen its
management capacity and to encourage a greater focus on protection
in its programming. In the medium term DFID seeks to develop the
understanding and conditions necessary for a longer term partnership
with UNHCR.
Meanwhile, DFID provides UNHCR with targeted financial
and inkind support for country programmes. Our in-kind support
ranges from the secondment of experts in fields such as logistics,
security and public information, to the vehicles and personnel
required to mount an emergency food supply convoy operation. We
also support central initiatives to improve emergency preparedness
and response, contingency planning, protection, programme evaluation
and strategy development. For example, DFID is supporting a programme
to introduce project cycle management techniques across UNHCR
operations.
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