Kosovar refugees will have Internet access to news and information about what is happening in their homeland under a new program involving federal agencies and private technology companies, the U.S. Information Agency announced Thursday.
The Kosovar Refugee Internet Assistance Initiative, developed by USIA, will bring more than $500,000 in donated technology to refugees. The technology will be used to establish information centers at refugee sites in Poland, France, Germany, the Balkans and at Fort Dix, N.J.
At the sites, refugees will have Internet access to independent and objective world news, and to a daily Albanian-language newsletter. USIA's Kosovo Web site, published in seven languages, including Russian, Serbian and Albanian, will serve as the primary content source for the newsletter. Other USIA information sources, such as the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and WORLDNET, a satellite television program, will also be accessible.
In addition, the sites will provide humanitarian relief workers with technical and financial support to carry out their missions.
A pilot launch will begin tomorrow in Skopje, Macedonia at a temporary facility located near two refugee camps. After that project is completed, computers and other donated equipment will be given to the people of Macedonia for use in schools and other projects.
Firms donating technology or funds for USIA's effort include SGI, Cisco Systems, Xerox, Gateway, RISO, Hewlett-Packard, 3M, Apple Computer and International Data Group. Several private foundations and non-governmental organizations have also contributed to the effort.
The National Security Council, the National Economic Council, and the Defense and State departments were also involved in developing the project.
USIA is involved in other refugee assistance initiatives, including providing daily news feeds to broadcasters in frontline situations, setting up a hotline to help refugees locate their families, and arranging for journalists to visit Macedonia.