Läkare i Världen / Médecins du Monde Sweden ran a programme in the southern Balkans between 1999 and 2001. This is the report of out activities in Kosovo, which was published in 2001. Click the pulldown menu's links to access the various chapters!

Welcome to the report of Médecins Du Monde Swedens mission in Kosovo. Kosovo is not the only region to have undergone a crisis recently. Chechnya, Sierra Leone, the horn of Africa, Mozambique, the great lakes region of Africa, the list goes on. Sometimes when we watch the television news or read the newspapers, it is possible to become overwhelmed by the number and scale of disasters, natural and man-made that are affected our planet.

However, I believe that small things can make a big difference. Whether it is giving up one afternoon a week to fund raise in Sweden, or to work as a volunteer doctor in the field for a short period of time, we can really touch other peoples lives in a way we would not normally believe to be possible. The point is to do something, to get involved. It adds richness to our own life and improves the lives of others. Humanitarian work can be very rewarding, whether working in Sweden or abroad.

I would like to thank our donors: the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida), the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). But a special tribute must go to the hundreds of private Swedish citizens who responded so generously to our public appeal for funds in April of 1999. This remarkable contribution of ordinary persons and private companies demonstrates that the term "donor fatigue" is often hyped out of all proportion.

Ordinary people can make a difference. I am particularly proud of the way in which we have interacted and supported local NGOs in Kosovo, and have acted as a bridge between them and the donor organisations. This process shows how we can empower others and ourselves. Ultimately, it is up to us, the citizens of Sweden, Europe and beyond to help make a difference in situations of extreme suffering. The problems of the Balkan region have not yet been solved. Although our mission has focused on the Kosovar Albanian population, there are many minority groups within Kosovo which are suffering. Outside of Kosovo, in Serbia, a creeping humanitarian disaster is unfolding which has yet to be addressed by the international community. Montenegro remains unstable. We have made a difference in Kosovo, but there is still much work to do, in the Balkans, and beyond.

I hope you enjoy this report

Dr. Anders Björkman
Chairman (2001), Médecins Du Monde Sweden

The motto of Medecins Du Monde is "to help, care and bear witness". The main projects of the Kosova Field Mission : emergency and primary health care, mental health support and rational drug use combine to reflect the philosophy of MDM Sweden and the MDM network. Human rights and health care are strongly linked.

I would like to dedicate this report to all the local staff who worked for us in the camps in Albania and on our projects here in Kosovo. Despite tragedies and difficulties in their personal lives, they displayed the highest levels of professionalism and dedication. They sought to help others and in doing so often helped themselves. I am very proud to be part of this remarkable team.

Hugh Griffiths
Director
Kosova Field Mission
Médecins Du Monde Sweden