The U.N.'s refugee aid agency is running out of money to care for ethnic Albanians who have fled Yugoslavia RELATED VIDEO CNN's Tom Mintier looks at the staggering cost of caring for the Kosovo refugees (May 11) Windows Media 28K 80K Most Kosovo refugees are in Albania. The country, which is a poor one, hopes its hospitality pays off with better relations and help from NATO nations. CNN's Christiane Amanpour reports. (May 11) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K A holiday camp in Montenegro is now a refugee camp. CNN's Mike Hanna takes a tour. (May 11) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Amanda Kibel reports on the investigation in Yugoslavia by the War Crimes Tribunal. (May 11) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K Chinese have stopped large protests against the U.S. in Beijing. CNN's Rebecca MacKinnon is there. (May 11) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K To view the latest video streams on the strikes in Kosovo, use the arrow buttons below to scroll through the video gallery.        Windows Media Real        28 K 80 K IMAGE GALLERY To the corners of the world: The flight of Kosovo's refugees  ALSO: China wants more answers on embassy bombing  THE DELUGE OF REFUGEES: Where are they going?  MESSAGE BOARD: China tomorrow Crisis in Kosovo  MAPS: NATO officials describe the air campaign  IN-DEPTH SPECIAL: NATO at 50 Strike on Yugoslavia

May 11, 1999
Web posted at: 8:17 p.m. EDT (0017 GMT)

SKOPJE, Macedonia (CNN) -- The United Nations' refugee agency said Tuesday it is running short of money to aid about 750,000 refugees from the Kosovo conflict.

"If more resources and significant resources are not announced immediately, we will not be able to make the further essential programs and commitments to assist refugees," said Ron Redmond, a spokesman for the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

The U.N. needs more than $1 million a day to feed and house the refugees, most of whom left Kosovo with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

When the first Kosovar Albanians were pushed out of Yugoslavia more than six weeks ago, the U.N. launched a financial appeal for $143 million. To date, only $77 million has arrived.

The U.N. says the need is dire -- nations have been sending donations, but it is being spent faster than it comes in.

"I appeal in particular to countries in Europe and the European Commission," Sdako Ogata, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said in a statement released Tuesday. "It is essential that they bear a larger part of the burden.

Japan, which has donated $23 million, tops the list of government contributors, followed by the United States with $8.5 million. Italy leads the way in private donations, with nearly $9 million.

Tensions high in overcrowded camp

And while the money runs low, tensions at overcrowded refugee camps run high.

Two protests broke out in a Macedonian camp Monday, prompting U.N. officials to consider using an international police contingent in the camps instead of local officers.

Officials also are trying to move refugees from the camps to other countries. Macedonia, in particular, has urgently called for relief, fearing economic or political collapse if nearly 250,000 refugees there aren't moved out more quickly.

More than 10,000 people are to travel to 20 countries over the next week, Redmond said, and officials are trying to convince refugees in Macedonia to go to Albania, which has offered to house them.

But the ethnic Albanians are reluctant to go to camps in Albania, partly because that country has no evacuation program to countries outside the Balkans. More than 423,000 Kosovar Albanians have crossed into Albania.

Meanwhile, the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, said Tuesday she would help the Hague-based International War Crimes Tribunal's investigation into alleged atrocities committed against the ethnic Albanians.

Traveling in Croatia, Robinson said the Kosovo crisis highlights the need for "building reconciliation between ethnic groups, issues of human rights, more tolerance and commitment to democratic human rights values."

Robinson is to travel to Belgrade on Wednesday.

Correspondent Tom Mintier contributed to this report.

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