Refugees languish in inhuman conditions in the no-man's land between Kosovo and Macedonia. They scavenge for twigs to build fires in order to keep from freezing. Food and water are scarce. The sight of aid workers wearing gauze masks across their faces Monday threw the camp into a panic. Rumors immediately spread that disease, presumably cholera, was spreading among the refugees.
Medical resources are minimal.
One volunteer doctor said he was able to devote about one minute to each patient. Dehydration is rampant, particularly because of the recent diarrhea epidemic in Kosovo. Meanwhile, indecision about who is responsible for the administration of the relief efforts has led to inaction or worse. While refugees are dying, Red Cross workers sit on boxes of medical supplies, waiting for official permission to enter the camp. A field hospital provided by a private initiative from Israel has arrived but it's unclear whether it's in operation yet.