Over the next two years, Albania plans to set up 20 reception centers for migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, who use Albania and Serbia as a transit route to Greece.
The centers will be located in the regions of Korça, Gjirokastra and Vlora, with capacities ranging from 100 to 410 beds. The plan is based on the draft decision “On the approval of the National Contingency Plan for mixed migratory flows 2026–2028”.
The draft decision was approved at the last meeting of the consultative council of the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (AMVV), which operates as an institution under the authority of the Minister of State for Local Government.
Currently, reception capacities are mainly concentrated in Tirana and several other points, such as Gërhot, Kakavijë and Kapshticë. The new plan aims for a more balanced distribution across the territory, using existing public spaces, vacant land and abandoned buildings, to guarantee a rapid response in case of emergency flows.
"The planned plan for the establishment of emergency reception capacities for the management of migratory flows is based on a balanced distribution of centers in the regions of Korça, Gjirokastër and Vlorë. These centers aim to utilize existing public infrastructure, abandoned spaces or vacant land, guaranteeing a rapid and functional response in the event of unexpected migratory flows," the report states.
Regions and cities where the new centers are planned to be established.
According to the draft decision, it is envisaged that the centers will be distributed in 3 regions: Korça, Gjirokastra and Vlora. For their establishment, the aim is to use existing public infrastructure, abandoned spaces or vacant land, guaranteeing a rapid and functional response in the event of unexpected migratory flows.
-In the Korça region, the establishment of several emergency accommodation structures is foreseen. In the Korça Municipality, the village of Floq has been identified in the Mollaj Administrative Unit, in the premises of the former TAP. In the Pogradec Municipality, opportunities are created for the establishment of centers with considerable capacity. In the Devoll Municipality, the spaces of the city of Bilisht and the village of Bitinckë offer a total of over 11,500 m², making this municipality an important reception hub. The Municipality of Kolonjë also offers strategic spaces.
-In Maliq Municipality, the use of former State Reserves warehouses in Lozhan is envisaged, while in Pustec Municipality, three spaces have been identified: the Zaroshke Unit, the Pustec sports field and the Gorica e Vogël sports field. In total, the Korça region includes at least 10 emergency accommodation points.
-In the Gjirokastra region, the focus has been placed on the reconfiguration of existing structures, mainly the former State Reserves, which have shown functionality during the 1999 crisis.
In the Municipality of Memaliaj, near the “Karafil Çaushi” Stadium, the establishment of temporary structures is foreseen, while in the Municipality of Përmet, the city hospital and dormitories have been identified, which can accommodate up to 102 beds. At least three important reception points are foreseen in this district, which may be added depending on the infrastructure assessments.
-A wider distribution of capacities is foreseen in the Vlora region. In the Vlora Municipality, several main spaces have been identified: the dormitories of the “Student City” and the Industrial School, as well as facilities that can be adapted for accommodation such as the “Flamurtari” Sports Palace, the Navy School and the offices of the Novosela Administrative Unit. Each of these spaces has a capacity of up to 300 people, turning the city of Vlora into a main reception center. In the Selenicë Municipality, the village of Peshkopi offers a field with a capacity of up to 250 people. In the Delvinë Municipality, the city stadium has been identified. In Himara, the stadium and public school facilities are foreseen, while the evaluation process for other spaces continues. In the Konispol Municipality, three schools and the Community Center in Mursi offer a total capacity of around 410 people.
The cost
The National Contingency Plan foresees expenses for salaries, current expenses and investments for the period 2026–2028, according to four migration and emergency scenarios, the cost is expected to range from 195.6 million lek, which is the normal scenario, to 708.7 million lek, which is the estimated cost for setting up centers in the event of a crisis./Monitor.al/
