A/HRC/45/CRP.10 WHO also initiated blood testing on children from the camps, which demonstrated unacceptably high levels of lead. In the same year WHO released a report demonstrating very high levels of lead contamination among the Roma population in all the camps. 23. In April 2005, UNMIK initiated a multi-stakeholder task force called the Mitrovica Action Team (MAT)27 to develop a framework for the temporary relocation of Roma IDPs from Cesmin Lug, Zitkovac, and Kablare to the vacant KFOR barracks in Osterode. The task force concluded that the return to the reconstructed Mahalla was the most sustainable solution available. 24. Between 1999 and 2005, WHO developed and supported technical assistance in north and south Mitrovica/Mitrovicë and the Zvecan municipalities in relation to RAE communities in the following areas: alleviation of the environmental exposure, provision of a "lead-safe" environment; provision of "lead-safe" occupations; improvement of public health (addressing poor living conditions and poverty); provision of adequate case management and treatment for the affected population. WHO supported the medical treatment of 12 children who received emergency intravenous chelation therapy during 2004 and 2005. Since 2006, WHO developed and recommended an oral chelation treatment protocol, which was associated with fewer side effects and allowed for outpatient treatment in Osterode Camp. WHO, among its other initiatives to bring relief to the situation of exposed communities, also established and equipped a "Health and Heavy Metal Unit" (HHMU) in North and South Mitrovica/Mitrovicë. 28 25. In March – April of 2006, Zitkovac and Kablare camps were closed and their residents moved to the Osterode camp, as a transitional location pending a durable solution in the Roma Mahalla. Residents of Cesmin Lug decline to move to Osterode. In June 2007, around 90 families (around 450 individuals) returned to the Roma Mahalla from all Mitrovica/Mitrovicë camps in Kosovo, as well as from Serbia and Montenegro. The MAT task force under UNMIK’s leadership organized the return. In May 2008, UNMIK handed over management of the Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps to the Kosovo Ministry of Communities and Returns. The Norwegian Church Aid was at the time acting as manager of the Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps. 26. In October 2008, the Roma community requested the Mitrovica/Mitrovicë Institute for Health to conduct blood tests on children in Cesmin Lug, Osterode, and Leposavic. Out of 53 tested, 21 had blood lead levels requiring immediate medical intervention as they faced significant threats to their life (over 65 mcg/dl, which is the highest level the machine could register), 18 had levels of 45 mcg/dl, and only two children had results within the norm. The results in Leposavic were lower, yet still above the “acceptable norm” of 10 mcg/dl. 27. Since 2008, WHO has assisted the Kosovo health services to provide medical services to the RAE communities, guided by WHO and based on WHO protocols endorsed by the Ministry of Health in Pristina. WHO since have provided a health promoting package, including education and counselling for management of the lead poisoning as well as treatment.29 28. In July 2008, a Roma rights activist on behalf of Roma families from all the camps filed a complaint with the Human Rights Advisory Panel (HRAP) of UNMIK, alleging criminal negligence leading to severe environmental contamination causing a severe health hazard to the camps' inhabitants, as well as violation of the rights to life and family life, and lack of a legal remedy. In June 2009, the HRAP ruled the claim to be admissible on multiple counts. 29. The Special Rapporteur considers it particularly important to draw attention to the fact that approximately half of the complainants were children when the complaint was filed with 27 28 29 6 In cooperation with the Kosovo Ministry of Health and UNHCR, WHO, UNICEF, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE. WHO letter, 8 October 2019, https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34907. ibid.