Commission winds up humanitarian operations in Albania

The Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission (ECHO) will tomorrow (14 December) end its activities in Albania after 10 years of activity. Between 1992 and 2002, Albania has benefited from over €142 million in humanitarian aid spent in sectors such as health, water and sanitation, and local infrastructure rehabilitation. "Thankfully the humanitarian situation has now passed the stage of being an emergency. With the assistance provided by the Humanitarian Aid Office, people in Albania, both nationals and refugees, have been able to overcome enormous difficulties" declared Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid. ECHO has accomplished its mission and it is now up to the national authorities to ensure the appropriate follow up to achieve long term sustainable development in the country. The European Commission will continue to support this process in many fields through other available instruments of assistance, including the CARDS programme for reconstruction, development and stabilisation.

The Humanitarian Aid Office through its partners (NGO's, UN and Red Cross) has supported Albania through three crises. From 1992 onwards, as Albania passed through a democratic transition, ECHO provided basic relief items (such as food and drug supplies) to help the country cope with serious shortages, notably in the health sector. In 1997, Albania was faced with a serious financial crisis and, again, ECHO was there to provide humanitarian assistance targeting the most vulnerable amongst the Albanian population. Finally, in Spring 1999, ECHO promptly responded to the most urgent needs of close to half a million Kosovar refugees who fled to Albania, and to the needs of the host communities. In the aftermath of the crisis, ECHO continued to assist the Albanian population and helped to improve life-preserving public services throughout Albania. The European Union (EU) remains very supportive of the government's efforts and to this end other European Commission instruments will continue with the assistance already offered in many fields. This significant contribution reflects the solidarity of the EU with the civilian population of Albania affected by conflicts and crises resulting from a difficult transition towards a democratic society.

Since the end of 2000, ECHO has been preparing the ground for a phase out of humanitarian aid. Longer-term EC assistance such as the CARDS programme -Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation- has already started to provide the necessary support to Albania.

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