UNHCR Albania will provide a comprehensive protection response in coordination with the Government of Albania and other partners. The response will aim to: i) ensure that the long-term legal status of all individuals in the group is resolved, ii) facilitate local integration, starting with the issuance of individual documentation, iii) provide shelter for the first six months of 2017 for the entire group, iv) provide legal and psycho-social support to vulnerable individuals and v) provide protection interventions targeted towards solutions to individual cases, including support with family reunification and voluntary repatriation.
One of the main priorities will be to ensure that the long-term legal status of all individuals is resolved and followed by quick issuance of appropriate documentation as an essential first step towards local integration. UNHCR will also provide legal representation to the asylum seekers in individual cases through a partner.
UNHCR will prioritize access to individual by maintaining protection presence in its two reception facilities in Tirana to monitor that individuals are able to exercise their rights to self-determination. A comprehensive protection needs assessment will be carried out during the first quarter of 2017 to identify and support individuals with heightened protection needs and vulnerabilities.
At the request of the Albanian government, UNHCR will continue to provide transitional / temporary accommodation to some 1,700 for the first six months of 2017. UNHCR will renew lease agreements and retain the reception facilities to ensure all individuals continue to live in safety and with dignity.
In order to further facilitate integration, UNHCR will continue to provide Albanian language training for the entire group, as well as targeted skills training to some individuals and guidance to access the workforce based on a socio-economic assessment of the population and market study. UNHCR will also engage other actors, including development agencies and NGOs, the private sector and local authorities to provide sustainable long-term solutions.
Specialised psychological support will be provided as part of efforts towards local integration. UNHCR will retain a consultant specialised in dealing with survivors of violence, torture and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in order to provide a multi-level and inter disciplinary strategy for appropriate intervention by national partners with the overall objective to build local capacity in the management of PTSD and victims of torture.
UNHCR will continue to maintain dialogue with all stakeholders, including the government of Albania, MeK leadership, civil society partners and various embassies to achieve its objectives.
2017