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2/4/99
This week has left me shattered with exhaustion. Every night we have been in the office until at least 10:30 or 11:00 at night. Even then, after we come home Sean has been up for hours more after that. The bones in my body ache - I almost feel like a pregnant woman must; my back hurts and I have constant indigestion.
It looks, though, as if the loss of sleep is going to pay off. We have just about secured a major program to feed the refugees from Kosova in four districts of Albania. Our little agency looks as though it may finally grow into something substantial.
The situation with the refugees is awful. More than 125,000 have entered Albania already. It looks as if at least another 100,000 may be on their way. The government and the agencies have been overwhelmed. No one was prepared for a crisis of this magnitude. It feels very strange to be at the vortex of history.
In Tirana life seems to have an urgency and an excitement that wasn't there before. People have even asked if I am a Kosovar! Today one refugee, a doctor from Pristina, followed me back to the office from the bank. I think he was looking for work. Poor people, they are so desperate, and so frightened.
I went to a refugee coordination centre the other night to drop off some diapers and aspirin. Amazing place, with row after row of cots lined up in a gym, and another room with long lines of tables set up to pass out aid. Dazed looking people were wandering around while young Red Cross volunteers dashed between them, always at a run. They ran out of diapers and sanitary supplies, and were short on blankets. How the refugees must have been longing for home.
There have been a number of demonstrations for peace here in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana. Thousands of people filled the square entirely. At least one demonstration has been held outside the Serb embassy, but not nearly what you would think. The picture below is of the banner which hangs boldly in front of the opera building in Tirana. People here love NATO and love America. They are proud of us for bombing Milosevic, and do not blame us for the operation by the Serbs against the Kosovars.
Right now, though, all I long for is sleep. I am so tired, and so hungry, but what I feel I know is nothing compared to those still in the mountains, whom it is projected will face starvation within only ten more days.
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