The vast majority of the refugees an estimated 355,000 have crossed the border into Albania, which is the poorest country in Europe and struggling to cope with the demand. The Home Office is drawing up contingency plans for several thousand Kosovan refugees who might arrive in Britain over the next few weeks. In its letter to all diocesan bishops the BSR suggests that this is something the Church could offer. Dioceses will need to give careful thought to exactly what help they can give, the letter continues. The Home Office and Refugee Council have both stressed, for instance, that they would prefer grouping three or four refugee families together in hostels with shared communal facilities.
Thought also needs to be given to language barriers.
And there is a strong warning about the likely emotional state of such refugees. Dioceses should also remember that refugees carry with them specific psychological problems associated with being uprooted from their homes. They are generally traumatised and vulnerable and in need of professional assistance. In the mean time, Dr Reed suggests, churches can continue to give money towards the humanitarian work being co-ordinated by the Disasters Emergency Committee.