06/10/2005

This father lives in a camp in Kosovo that is seriously contaminated with lead. His experiences point to the need for a formalized education campaign or information distribution on the serious effects and consequences of high levels of lead in the blood. The lack of information is causing confusion and a gross underestimation, sometimes even denial, of the serious consequences of lead poisoning. Some displaced say it is normal for children to be sick, especially given the unsanitary conditions and poor nutrition practices found in the camp. Others declared that everyone is always sick in this camp. “If this was so serious why does not anyone do anything? Many people are talking about evacuation, I will believe the lead problem if they evacuate us,” this father says.

Refugees International is calling for the immediate evacuation of the camps to protect people from further lead poisoning.