Moving Fast To Aid Refugees in Albania

Thanks to the generosity of donors from all parts of the United States, the International Rescue Committee team in Albania has been able to set up a rapid-response fund that helps local Albanian charitable organizations and sister humanitarian aid agencies respond quickly to the needs of refugees from Kosovo.

They use the funds to procure items not covered by other programs, and as startup money for worthy ideas that can attract further funding.

The fund is administered by John Fawcett, the IRC’s emergency coordinator in Tirana, who devised a similar approach during the refugee emergency in Bosnia to cut through red tape and get desperately needed items into the hands of refugees as quickly as possible.

Examples include:

Funding to a small medical-aid agency to buy baby bottles and other items for children.

Support to the Albanian Democratic Women's Forum for household items to host families (such as pots pans, towels, blankets, etc.).

Support for "Help for Children," another local Albanian charity, to purchase children's items including diapers, towels, baby bottles and supplies in collective centers in Korce.

In addition, the IRC rented trucks to distribute supplies purchased by local World Bank employees for refugees.