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Foreword

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYR of Macedonia) has been undergoing a profound transition during the past decade. Economic and civil reforms have been accompanied by rising environmental awareness and the creation of a Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning. The Kosovo conflict added a new and urgent dimension to humanitarian challenges and efforts.

This report continues the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) investigation of the impacts of the Kosovo conflict. It extends the body of knowledge about the environmental impacts of the conflict, and about the urgent environmental challenges facing FYR of Macedonia. The report should provide a useful tool for international community members seeking to assess FYR of Macedonia's needs and assist the country. It also underscores the importance of environmental management during humanitarian assistance efforts.

To conduct the assessment, UNEP drew on the skills of international experts from various scientific and environmental policy disciplines. During a field mission to FYR of Macedonia, the team visited refugee camps and environmental 'hot spots', including neglected industrial sites. The team also took samples and analyzed various environmental and human settlement data. 1 would like to thank this dedicated and highly skilled team for their hard work.

UNEP is committed to assessing areas of the world suffering from acute environmental degradation caused by human conflicts or natural disasters. This work began following last year's Kosovo conflict, when the Joint UNEP/UNCHS (Habitat) Balkans Task Force (BTF) was established. The BTF conducted a rapid assessment that culminated in the publication of The Kosovo Conflict: Consequences for the Environment and Human Settlements. Since that time, UNEP has implemented humanitarian projects to mitigate pollution at environmental 'hot spots' identified by the report.

This UNEP report, Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment-FYR of Macedonia, was made possible through generous support provided by The Netherlands, and with the close cooperation of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. My thanks go to the Dutch government and these partner organizations for their contributions and invaluable in-kind support.

Klaus Toepfer
Under-Secretary General of the United Nations
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme