The International Rescue Committee's Airdrops in Kosovo Continue

The International Rescue Committee is continuing daily airdrops of food to the displaced people taking refuge in remote areas of Kosovo. Since June 3, the two Antonov 26 aircraft being used in the effort have dropped nearly 24 metric tons of humanitarian daily rations and high-protein biscuits.

It’s anticipated that the need for drops will continue for the time being. Despite the peace agreement, the very inaccessibility that shielded the Kosovars in the mountains and forests from Serbian forces will also delay the timely arrival of critically needed food.

It will take at least a week before supply convoys can reach several of the regions where the airdrops are taking place. Some people in the affected areas were reported to have been eating vegetation to stay alive.

Of the 600,000 Kosovar Albanians who were displaced from the homes but remain inside the province of Kosovo, it’s estimated that some 50,000 took refuge in the mountainous and forested areas where food is being airdropped.