Kosovo Health Emergency Persists in UN Gypsy Camps

June 30, 2008

Comment: American journalist and human right activist Paul Polansky wrote an article in the weekly newspaper “Kosov@Post” about the very poor life conditions in Gypsies Camps in Northern Part of Mitrovica.

Years after years many Gypsy people suffered from lead poisoning, especially children since they are the most vulnerable. Children are most contaminated and a large range of deaths among them occur.

Many surveys were conducted in those camps by the World Health Organization, but due to the unstable situation in Northern part of Mitrovica, very few efforts were made by the Kosovo authorities. At the beginning UNMIK ignored this situation. Later after the reports were published by the World Health Organization, the Gypsy Community was relocated in another camp which was less contaminated and food aid was provided for them at the same time.

Those measures haven’t resolved the problem, the Gypsy people are still suffering from the lead poisoning and they continue to die every month. Just few weeks ago a Gypsy baby 1 month old died in Osterode camp, and a lot of children and adults continue to be infected.

This article serves to denounce the high difficulties faced by the authorities and UNMIK to manage this appaling situation.

The article – in English – is also available online on the website of “The Montenegro Times” here