Kosovo: Lead pollution requires immediate evacuation of Roma camps

This is an article written in June 2005, that talks about the evacuation of Roman, Ashkali, and Egyptian people that were living in a near region of Mitrovica. It explains how according to the World Health Organization and other UN organizations in Kosovo, more than 600 people were in serious health danger because of the mines in Mitrovica. The article also explains the fact that after the war in Kosovo, nobody really cared about the environment, and that there was lack of leadership to solve environmental issues, and especially this in Mitrovica. Further, the article explains how UNHCR has built these camps as a temporary solution, but the people who lived there stayed longer than 45 days.

According to some studies, the article talks also about the overall population in Mitrovica which has elevated levels of heavy metals, especially lead, but the samples from the three RAE IDP Camps had the most alarming lead levels in the blood. More than four years earlier the 2000 UNMIK report had also noted higher levels among RAE internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to WHO, a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter or below is acceptable. The measurements from the IDP camps were much higher than in the surrounding population and at levels which exceeded any region WHO had previously studied. Twelve children had exceptionally high blood lead levels, greater than 45 micrograms per deciliter. ?According to the article, WHO has made some experiments and has recommended the evacuation of pregnant women and children, because they were mostly affected by the high risk of getting sick in the area they were living. Although these organizations made an alert to the government and other organizations and public institutions, nobody helped the three populated camps with minority people in Mitrovica. And as one international humanitarian worker put it, "It is not a question of a solution, it is a question of the lack of will to do anything -- nobody seems to want to help the Roma."

Initially, in spring 2005 some organizations and local institutions decided to initiate a Risk Management Plan, and to evacuate the people from there. They started also to distribute hygiene packs and wood stoves. And it is confirmed that since than the sanitation in and around two of the camps has been greatly improved. WHO concluded in October 2004 that the primary source of lead contamination was the existing contaminated soil, which has measured in the camps as much as 359 times beyond safe limits. The illegal smelting activities are continuing but have been greatly reduced and many of the larger smelting sites have been eradicated. This is being closely monitored by the municipalities and international organizations. The article says that the situation is further complicated also because of the fact that the RAE people do not want to go back to live were they lived before (South Mitrovica), but the want that the local institutions to help them for a better life. Also one thing to mention is the fact that mos of the people living in these camps have not yet recognized Kosovo's independence, and this plays a major role.

However, refugees international recommended some points to be considered: - by June 30, 2005 all pregnant women and children from birth to six years old be evacuated to rented flats in North Mitrovica or temporary shelters at the South Mitrovica site. Regular testing of all IDPs in the RAE camps continue and any person testing above 45 micrograms per deciliter be given immediate medical attention and relocated, - the SRSG instruct the International Municipal Representatives of the three municipalities involved to begin immediate negotiations with the municipal governments to provide a list of suitable land sites for the evacuation. From the lists provided, the SRSG choose the best possible site by June 30, 2005, - the World Bank and/or the European Agency for Reconstruction commit to a comprehensive environmental clean up of the North Mitrovica lead sites as recommended in the UNMIK November 2000 report.

http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=1856