"We are indebted to Italy because of history," said Prime Minister Rama on October 15, 2024, when he announced the news that a refugee reception camp would be established in Gjadra, a camp that generated strong controversy, especially in Italy.
But with complete certainty, the head of government declared that there would be no other camps... but that is not what turned out to be the case!
As of yesterday, it was declared that over the next 24 months, Albania is planning to establish 20 reception centers for immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
From these centers, the routes through our country will then pass towards countries like Serbia or Greece. If the first center was established in Gjadra, now these new centers will be established in southern Albania. Korça, Gjirokastra and Vlora will be the host cities for these immigrants.
Their construction will be in sizes 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 functions as an institution under Minister Ervin Demo.
Quite often, if you move around these areas, you come across immigrants from Africa and Asia, who wander and are prey to traffickers who promise to take them to European customs, but who abandon them on the streets as soon as they encounter the police.
The planned plan for the establishment of emergency reception capacities for the management of migratory flows is based on a balanced distribution. These centers aim to use existing public infrastructure, abandoned spaces or vacant land, guaranteeing a rapid and functional response in the event of unexpected migratory flows, according to the report published so far.
The construction of several emergency accommodation structures is planned in the Korça region. In this region, the village of Floq in the Mollaj Administrative Unit is planned.
In Pogradec, opportunities are being seen for the establishment of centers with considerable capacity.
In Devoll, 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.
But the Vlora region will not be spared either. Several key spaces have been identified, such as 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.
There are still questions and skepticism about the establishment of these camps, firstly because data is still scarce, but also because the Gjadri camp failed, while it is not known how these camps will function. Denada Jushi/ acqj.al
