Gaps in short and long-term food security in northern Albania were made even more apparent owing to the substantial losses in terms of agriculture and livestock.

Despite nearly a decade of democratic rule following the overthrow of communist rule, the Albanian government's struggles to address the chronic problems and poverty of the country have had little success. What was further highlighted by the devastating floods tin late September and October 2002 was that the government was also ill-prepared for handling or responding to natural disasters.

Based on the evident struggles of northern Albanians for survival before the devastating floods, Islamic Relief (IR) decided to intervene and implement an emergency relief operation in areas where household food security were at the highest risk.

Beneficiary families are being selected based those most harmed by the floodwaters who already suffered from low-levels of real household income. Local government authorities select and verify project beneficiaries.

IR has been one of the first to react to these floods. IR's response will help more than 2,250 beneficiaries in the rural villages of Postribe, Ana E Malit, and Bushtat, As envisioned, more than 9,450 kilograms of emergency aid, mostly in the form of food commodities, will be provided.

While the overall response amongst UN agencies and the international donor community to a disaster of this magnitude for Albania has so far been disappointing; the Albanian government and beneficiaries have been extremely grateful to IR for their timely and relevant assistance.

IR's efforts have been hampered by flooded roadways, which are hazardous-enough in optimum conditions, as well as the government's gradual opening of dams and levees to release built-up water further affecting the flooded areas where emergency operations are taking place.

Our rapid response efforts would not be possible without committed staff and a network of volunteers which are always so vital to IR's work in Albania as well as the backing of both the Prefecture and Mufti of Shkodra.

Project Objectives

• To provide a minimum of 9,450 kilograms of emergency flood relief food aid in flooded areas of northern Albania.
  

Project Activities

• Contacts with local government bodies and communities to know their needs;

• Identification and evaluation of the specific village;

• Negotiating, purchasing, packing, storing, transporting, scheduling and conducting the distribution of food commodities to project participants;

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/