CRS History in Albania

Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to revive economic activity and trade. The economy has been bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400 to $600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy.

Agriculture, which accounts for 52 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, has been severely damaged by floods in the Northern and Southern regions of the country. Additionally the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land has hindered Albania's agriculture sector, which comprises 70 percent of the workforce.

CRS first worked in Albania from 1943 to 1945. Returning to assess the needs in 1990 and 1991, CRS provided outreach support from its office in Skopje, Macedonia, designing and implementing a comprehensive community development program with the Albanian Education Development Project funded by the Open Society Institute (Soros).

In response to the 1998-99 Kosovo crisis, CRS supported a wide range of activities including food assistance, a community services program and a rural water program. CRS continues to support community involvement in education. In addition, CRS provides humanitarian assistance to Albania's most needy and supports existing and new activities that advance the cause of peace and justice and improve the livelihood of the most vulnerable members of society.

CRS' main office is in Tirana, the capital of Albania, with additional activities in Elbasan, Fier, Durres and Kukes. CRS Albania has 53 staff.