π Tender Overview
The Albanian Red Cross, the oldest humanitarian organization in Albania, was founded in 1921. It was admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1923.
After the war, the state gradually detracted a major part of the National Societyβs activities and reduced its operational capacities. Consequently, it lost its identity. An arbitrary decision in 1969 finally officially suspended the National Society, and it ceased to exist for more than 20 years. At the beginning of the 1990s, the National Society resumed its activity by building a legal basis and organizational structure, which has constantly been consolidated ever since. The National Society was recognized in law by the Albanian Parliament as an independent volunteer humanitarian organization in 1994. Today, the Albanian Red Cross serves as an auxiliary to public authorities nationwide, demonstrating its capacity in humanitarian aid operations during crises and disasters. It provides social and health assistance to vulnerable communities, advocates for their concerns, and expands its volunteer network for increased transparency and accountability. The Albanian Red Crossβ main programmes include disaster preparedness and response, social welfare, health promotion, youth education, and organizational development, all aimed at enhancing community resilience and well-being while promoting humanitarian values and voluntarism.
By 2022, the Albanian Red Cross reached approximately 15,000 people by long term services and development programmes and about 25,000 people by its disaster response and early recovery programmes over time.
According to its Strategic Plan for 2022β2026, the priorities of the National Society include to:
β’ Put people at the centre of change to create competitive advantage and alleviate peoples suffering
β’ Build on past achievements to make new progress and shape the future through investing into the development of empowered National Society
β’ Serve to support people in need and affected from emergencies helping them to stay physically healthy and develop resilience to psychosocial challenges
