You almost have to let it happen before you can make an assessment. More is on the way. The shipment was originally destined for a Kosovo warehouse but was diverted to Macedonia after the warehouse was firebombed, Conrad said. He had no information about distribution of the aid in Macedonia but said the AFSC was working closely with local aid agencies to get the supplies out to Kosovar refugees. The AFSC is one of the few relief agencies that accepts in-kind contributions in addition to monetary donations.
Most agencies prefer money because of the difficulty and cost of shipping material goods.
The Rev. Rodney I. Page, executive director of Church World Service, was among the relief-agency leaders who met with Clinton at the White House on Friday. He said the agency worked with Orthodox Christian churches in Albania to get the aid to the incoming refugees. Its chief priority, he said, is to assist women and children. He said the funds were being used to purchase food, tents, blankets, water and medical supplies. The food kit, he explained, includes pasta, meat in a tin, biscuits and crackers.