    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 21, 1999]
    [Pages 591-592]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Humanitarian Relief for Kosovar Refugees
    April 21, 1999

    Memorandum for All Federal Government Employees

    Subject: Humanitarian Relief for Kosovar Refugees

        As you are no doubt aware, Slobodan Milosevic's ethnic cleansing of Kosovo has resulted in a grave
    humanitarian disaster, the displacement of almost 1.4 million Kosovar
    Albanians, and the slaughter of thousands. The refugees now in Macedonia
    and Albania, and those who continue to arrive each day, are in urgent
    need of food, shelter, and clothing. Relief organizations are working
    around the clock to provide this assistance, but these organizations and
    the refugees they serve need support from all of us.
        I have heard from many Federal employees who want to know what they
    can do to help in this time of crisis. We can best help alleviate the
    suffering in the Balkans by providing financial support to relief
    agencies on the front lines. The Federal Government has established a
    toll-free telephone hotline, 1-800-USAID-RELIEF,

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    that you may call to be referred to a number of private humanitarian
    organizations that are providing vital relief. The organizations are
    also located on the USAID Internet website, www.info.usaid.gov, under
    the listing for Kosovo. The organizations are on site, they know how to
    deliver the relief, and they need financial support.
        Together we can provide the humanitarian assistance that the people
    so urgently need, while we work with our NATO allies to create the
    conditions that will allow them to return safely to their homes and
    rebuild their lives.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this memorandum.