On 20 February 2021,  on her visit to Albania, the EU Commissioner  Ylva Johansson visited the Kakavija/Gjirokastra Border Crossing Points facilities. She met with Ministry of Interiors, Frontex, IOM Albania, UNCHR Albania and other various stakeholders who have a joint operation in migration managment.

The visit of the Ms. Johansson in the Border Crossing in Kakavija was held in the framework of the project “Addressing COVID-19 Challenges within the Migrant and Refugee Response in the Western Balkans”, which is financed under the EU Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace.

Since the project  started  in April 2020, IOM in Albania through concerted efforts with all stakeholders involved at central and local level has supported migrants and authorities to address the challenges brought by the pandemic in Albania. Key achievements of the project to date include:

62,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) were donated to the Albanian State Police to ensure safe continuity of border and migration management activities.

Fully equipped medical ambulatory/COVID-19 isolation ward containers were installed in Kapshtica, Gerhot and Kakavija border crossing points and Migrant Registration and Temporary Accommodation Centres.

3 accommodation containers and sanitary facilities for 18 people were installed at the border crossing point Kakavija, to align the facility with COVID-19 protocols in place in Albania.

Hand-washing stations were established in Gerhot and Kakavija, which, together with the TV screens installed in Kapshtica, Gerhot and Kakavija displaying information on COVID-19 measures, represent additional risk mitigating measures implemented in the Centers.

The intervention contributes to ensure that the rights of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees are protected, and that migration and asylum management systems remain operational. 

IOM is also developing an online training for border police officials on COVID-19 at Points of Entry in collaboration with the IOM E-Campus platform. The training is being translated into Albanian and IT equipment has been donated to the State Police to facilitate attendance.

“The intervention directly contributes to mitigating the risk of transmission of #COVID19 in the temporary reception centers,” highlighted in her speech, Ms. Jani, IOM Head of Office in Albania.

Mr. Johansson ensured the EU support to guarantee the protection-sensitive management of mixed movements of refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers.