Published: 26 March, 2008, 05:58
Edited: 26 March, 2008, 05:58
The need for humanitarian aid in Kosovo is growing, as violence intensifies in some parts. Help is especially needed around Kosovska Mitrovica, where the biggest anti-NATO demonstration occurred since Kosovo’s independence. Russia has already offered to h
Russian President Vladimir Putin says they’ll help anyone in Kosovo – regardless of nationality.
“We want to thank President Putin for his offer to assist,” said Milan Ivanovic, President of the Serb National Council, stressing once again that “Russia is the main factor why Kosovo will never become independent. Without a new UN resolution and without Kosovo's chair in the UN, that state does not exist for us or for anybody else”.
In Mitrovica, care in the two hospitals is good, but problems emerge when ambulances and doctors need to travel to a patient.
Last week's violent protests that killed one Ukrainian peacekeeper also destroyed one of the precious few ambulances in the city.
As well as ambulances, respirators, stethoscopes and other emergency equipment is desperately needed, says Dr Bojan Ilic who’s the Head of Health Centre in North Mitrovica.
Kosovo's Prime Minister has dismissed Belgrade's proposal to govern ethnic Serb enclaves in the region.
For the local leaders there is only one option: “Kosovo is Serbia and Serbia is Kosovo”.