UNHCR MEETING WITH THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
HIS EXCELLENCY RUDD LUBBERS

Geneva 7 April 2003.- Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine were received this morning by His Excellency High Commissioner of Refugees Rudd Lubbers.

Their Royal Highnesses had organized a meeting with His Excellency Rudd Lubbers to discuss the serious refugee (340.000) and internal displaced persons (230.000) situation in Serbia and to remind that in Serbia there is the highest concentration of refugees in Europe. More than 80% of refugees outside collective centres (23.000 of which 13.000 are refugees and 10.000 internally displaced people) do not have durable housing and they live in rented accommodation or in friends/families homes.

Their Royal Highnesses discussed with the High Commissioner that the resource gap in the Serbian Commissariat budget for this year of $7.5 million where almost 90% goes into maintaining collective centres. Cash flow problems of the Serbian Treasury hamper monthly payments as well, even this early in 2003 only half of financial resources for running of collective centres. Food is already being stopped in more that 20 centres and that there could be a disaster at any moment. The Serbian Treasury does not have sufficient funds for this situation and in many sectors and cuts that have taken place.

Their Royal Highnesses appealed for help since foreign assistance available for phasing down collective centres is only a drop in the ocean at the moment. In the best case scenario Serbia will close 40 collective centres this year although Serbia had planned 98.

Their Royal Highnesses reminded that Serbia is part of Europe and that the people are aspiring and deserve to be part of Europe and that the Serbian Government was determined to move ahead and that the help of the European Union is vital. The situation has been very difficult since 5 October 2000 and although the government is doing the best they can to help the inheritance from the past situation was serious.

Their Royal Highnesses thanked the High Commissioner and his staff for their understanding and the hope for continued assistance in solving this way overdue calamity and to explain to European Union Entities the seriousness of the situation in Serbia.