BBC News Online: UK

Preparing for refugee influx

The next wave of 300 refugees is set to arrive in Scotland on Sunday, and more will fly into Manchester next week.

Albanians already living in Britain, and the local authorities set to house refugees, are gearing up for the influx.

The Albanian Community Centre in north London, which keeps lists of separated families, has become a vital chain linking Britain and the Balkans as refugees try to get news of relatives and friends.

It is providing interpreters and a reception committee for the next wave of refugees to arrive.

The centre's Jetemir Balaj said making the refugees feel safe and welcome was the main priority.

"Beyond that, a lot of them require immediate medical attention. Most of them need some rest and counselling," he said.

Refugees arriving next week will be housed in north Manchester, where work has being going on non-stop to convert derelict flats for them.

Social services and health authorities have also been getting ready to help.

Manchester Health Authority's Anne Hoskins said: "We are envisaging that it will be women and children who are on the whole healthy, albeit having gone through a very difficult and traumatic time.

"What we will be trying to do in their rest centres is look at their health needs, and as much as possible integrate them into the local health services with access to general practitioners, and district health nurses and health visitors."

Relevant Stories

Refugees recount tales of terror (07 May 99 | UK)
How warm is the welcome? (06 May 99 | Kosovo)
No limits on UK refugees (05 May 99 | UK Politics)
Thousands of refugees to fly to UK (05 May 99 | UK)
Britain's rough refuge (29 Apr 99 | UK)
Preparations for second group of refugees (28 Apr 99 | UK)
UK Kosovo refugees 'glad to be safe' (26 Apr 99 | UK)
Press greets first refugees (26 Apr 99 | UK)

Internet Links

European Council on Refugees and Exiles
Refugee Council
Refugees in Macedonia - Search Site
UNHCR Kosovo News
Manchester Health Authority
Manchester City Council

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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