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Harsh winter looms for Kosovo refugees

The UN's Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, says more than 90% of those who fled Serb persecution have now returned.

The agency is now planning for the winter months which it fears will be devastating for the refugees, many of whose homes are still badly damaged.

It hopes to distribute some 70,000 shelter kits before October, which contain enough insulation for refugees to cover one room.

"Winter comes early in the Balkans," said Ms Ogata. "We are a little bit afraid that we may not make it."

In case the kits are not received in time, the UNHCR is refurbishing partly destroyed public buildings, such as stadiums, to use as collective shelters.

It is also arranging for those whose homes are not damaged to take in less fortunate refugees.

Longer-term needs such as the restoration of electricity and water are likely to be left until the spring.

About 800,000 Kosovar Albanians fled Kosovo during April, May and June, and about 750,000 have now returned.

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