Technical support is continuously provided to the Albanian border authorities for the implementation of the Integrated Border Management (IBM) strategy as well as for the contingency planning and strengthening capacities on the management of mixed migration flows. IOM promotes cooperation with the neighboring countries in preventing and fighting irregular migration of Albanian citizens and third country nationals in line with the existing bilateral agreements and regional initiatives, in particular, in the areas of information processing and exchange, assisted voluntary return, Advance Passenger Information systems, country of origin analysis, readmission agreements, reception facilities for irregular third-country nationals, interpretation and language analysis.

IOM contributes to concerted efforts in the Western Balkans to counter the smuggling and trafficking of migrants along the route. A Registration and Temporary Accommodation Centre for irregular migrants was established in Gërhot, Gjirokastër, in 2017, with the capacity of 60 people. In 2019, another Registration and Temporary Accommodation Centre for irregular migrants was established in Kapshtica, Korçë, with the same capacity. Recent support is being provided for facilitating the uninterrupted performance of border controls by supporting the beneficiary countries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic at Points of Entry (PoE). This includes provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and support in the development of dedicated tools and procedures to border police agencies. Through this intervention, additional capacities for the registration and temporary accommodation of 18 migrants were established in the Kakavija BCP, in Gjirokastra.

For more information about our projects in the area of Immigration and Border Management, please write us at: infotirana@iom.int.

 

Completed Projects