Today we urge all our caring Oxford Mail readers to donate money in a campaign to save refugees in war-torn Kosovo

We have teamed up with Oxford-based charity Oxfam to buy essential shelter, clothing and water sterilising equipment. Without aid the refugees, driven from their homes, face death from starvation and exposure.

Nobody knows how long the war in the Balkans will rage. But one thing is certain: the plight of the refugees is only just beginning. They will need our help for months to come if they are to rebuild their lives.

Roger Elbourne, Oxfam campaigns organiser, said: "Right now, in the crammed border camps of Albania and Macedonia, Oxfam is protecting tens of thousands of Kosovo refugees from a new danger - deadly disease from filthy, infected drinking water. "We're already providing more than 120,000 people with clean, life-saving water and many with warm clothes and shelter. But the flood of refugees continues. We can do so much more. Just £25 can sterilise enough drinking water for 80 people.

"And Oxfam will be there in the future, helping families in the region to rebuild shattered lives."

Oxfam is working with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the Albanian government, and has been asked to take the lead in the provision of water and sanitation, and to help identify appropriate sites to accommodate refugees.

Many local people are playing host to refugees, some public buildings are being used, and some people are being accommodated in camps. Water supplies are vitally important. Refugees are often exhausted and traumatised. Amid the overcrowded conditions they are susceptible to infection. Dirty water is a significant cause of disease, and clean water is a major safeguard to people's health.

The equipment you can help pay for will give Oxfam flexibility to respond to different situations faced by refugees. Where communities accommodate people, local water sources must be improved and expanded. This can be done temporarily with mobile water tanks, pipes and pumps.

In refugee camps, a fixed steel tank connected to communal tap stands provides the most efficient supply of water. In addition, latrines must be provided. In all situations, water purification is an essential and necessary step. Oxfam has sent water purification equipment and water testing kits. Refugees also have very few possessions - often having left their homes with no time to take anything with them.

They need everything from clothes to shelter and containers for clean water. So far, Oxfam has sent warm clothing, sealable plastic buckets, plastic sheeting and tents. But they need much more.

Here's a taste of what your donations could buy:

*£2.85 buys an Oxfam bucket for carrying water.

*£6.60 buys a chlorine testing kit for water.

*£21 shelters an entire family under plastic sheeting. We will be constantly monitoring how much money our readers have raised and give you regular updates on what has been bought with it. Remember, just a few pounds can save someone's life.

Send your cheques, made payable to Oxfam Oxford Mail Kosovo Appeal, to Oxfam, Room 99RE19, FREEPOST, Oxford OX2 7BR. Or you can make credit card donations on 01865 313131.

Please give all you can.

Story date: Monday 03 May

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