Agency Helps Albania Cope with Trafficking, Improve Crops
FrontLines - February 2009
Albanian farmers display fresh tomatoes grown with U.S. irrigation, agricultural and greenhouse assistance.
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Vlora, Albania—A non-descript building in this small Albanian city is a shelter for women who have escaped sexual slavery and other violent abuse. On a recent visit there were 14 women staying in the shelter, but the number of residents fluctuates regularly.
USAID has supported the women’s shelter, whose location is guarded and maintained under tight security.
It is one of a series of projects USAID backs in Albania—including agriculture, health, democracy and governance, and rule of law. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe—it was for decades one of the most isolated countries in the Communist world—loyal only to Maoist China.
Thirteen of the women at the shelter are between 13 and 25 years old. One is but seven.
“This saved our lives,” said some of the women when they met with former USAID Press Director David Snider, on a visit to Albania in June.
The women are getting psychological
and medical support in additional to vocational training
and basic education. For those who have low security concerns, the shelter helps the women find jobs after completing
vocational training. Those with high security cases spend their days in the shelter, knitting, playing cards, watching TV, and waiting until the Albanian state can provide a durable solution to their security concerns. Some women have been waiting two and a half years for this freedom, one waited for over five years. The women also try to get social assistance from the state, which is reluctant to acknowledge the extent of the trafficking for prostitution.
The shelter is run under a six-year, $7.5 million program for anti-trafficking work with the government of Albania. This includes grants to civil society and technical assistance to anti-trafficking officials.
One young woman told of being kidnapped and smuggled into a European Union country by speedboat. She was subsequently
held in slave-like conditions
and forced to prostitute herself
in private apartments for over five years. Her situation came to the attention of authorities, who deported her back to Albania. Her testimony led to the prosecution of her pimp, who was eventually released for insufficient evidence. The woman now lives in fear that the pimp will some day kill her.
The women told Snider they intended to stay in the shelter for protection. Since 1998, some 1,500 women have benefited from the services the shelter provides,
such as: protection, accommodation, foster care, mentoring, psychological and medical care, counseling, legal services, reintegration, educational
support, vocational training,
and job placement.
Eventually, the women are reintegrated with their families or move to independent living situations.
Another USAID project reduces corruption in government services by streamlining access and eliminating the bureaucratic red tape that encourages extortion and bribery. The Agency refurbished
the National Registration Center, which opened in September 2007, and helped set up its computer system. Clerks were trained to assist people in the use of the online systems. Starting a business, paying taxes, and public procurement are now carried out online.
Snider also visited the construction
site of a plant that processes oil from aromatic herbs and spices—The Xherdo Co.—which expects to employ 40 full-time workers and engage 250 herb collectors. 
A cargo ship sails off of Albania’s Adriatic shoreline.
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USAID helped the owner to draw up contracts and market the herbs in Germany. Herbs and spices are the second largest Albanian export, after fish packaging. Sage, basil, and oregano
are the main herbs.
“The Albanian herb and spice industry has grown significantly and has become competitive in the world market due to the assistance of the USAID program,”
said Xhevit Hysenaj, owner of the Xherdo Company in Maminas, Durres.
Snider also visited a watermelon
farm and wholesale
market for melons, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots in Lushnje, about a half-hour drive south of the capital, Tirana. U.S. support for modern irrigation
technologies has driven yields up by 15 to 20 percent. The project encouraged the creation
of a farmers association; and helped introduced drip irrigation,
lines of credit, and loan guarantees.
Snider saw boxes of colorful tomatoes being hauled off to market
thanks to USAID help with technology, financing and, especially,
road improvements.
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