Support with protective equipment

In the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic Albania experienced an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and most public services in Albania struggled to provide adequate protection for key frontline staff against COVID-19.  In order tto support national efforts to prevent & control COVID-19 infections, Help in Albania throughout the summer of 2020 donated and distributed vital PPE to healthcare workers in Kruja and social workers in Tirana. 

At the time Kruja had the highest number of people infected with COVID-19 per capita in Albania and Dr Stefan Gjoni Municipal Hospital in Kruja became one of the busiest hospitals in the country.  To support the 100 medical staff working at Dr Stefan Gjoni hospital Help donated 25 oximeters used to measure oxygen levels in patients’ blood along with 1,555 face masks & 400 packages of protective gloves, 1,400 single use medical outfits and 100 Tyvek suits.  Help also donated 100 litres of hand sanitisers and 25 litres of disinfectant products.

In Tirana Help targeted support to social workers working with marginalised communities.  This included 27 staff working in child protection units across the city and the staff of six daily community centres as well as at the Lilium Centre, an emergency shelter for victims of trafficking.  Help donated 350 packages of gloves, 1,200 masks & 100 medical outfits as well as 400 litres of disinfectants.  To support the many vulnerable children who had missed out online education during the lockdown Help supported catch up classes by donating 10 laptops and 3 tablets.

The distribution of this PPE was made possible by funding from the German Government and was part of a coordinated regional effort by Help across the Western Balkans.