The establishment of 20 reception centers is planned in Korçë, Vlorë and Gjirokastër for migrants from Asia

For the next two years, Albania plans to establish 20 reception centers for migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, who use Albania and Serbia as transit routes toward Greece.

The centers will be located in the districts of Korçë, Gjirokastër, and Vlorë, with capacities ranging from 100 to 410 beds. The plan is based on the draft decision “On the approval of the National Contingency Plan for mixed migration flows 2026–2028.”

The draft decision was approved at the latest meeting of the consultative council of the Agency for Supporting Local Self-Governance (AMVV), which functions under the Minister of State for Local Governance.

Currently, reception capacities are mainly concentrated in Tirana and a few other points, such as Gërhot, Kakavija, and Kapshtica. The new plan aims for a more balanced distribution across the territory, using existing public spaces, available land, and abandoned buildings to ensure a rapid response in case of emergency influxes.

“The planned plan for establishing emergency reception capacities for the management of migration flows relies on a balanced distribution of centers in the districts of Korçë, Gjirokastër, and Vlorë. These centers aim to use existing public infrastructure, abandoned spaces, or available land, ensuring a quick and functional response in case of unexpected migratory flows,” the explanatory note states.

The districts and cities where the new centers are expected to be established

According to the explanatory report of the draft decision, the distribution of the centers is expected to be made across 3 districts: Korçë, Gjirokastër, and Vlorë. For their establishment, the aim is to use existing public infrastructure, abandoned spaces, or available land, ensuring a rapid and functional response in the event of unexpected migratory flows.

In the district of Korçë, the establishment of several emergency accommodation structures is planned.

In Korçë Municipality, the village of Floq in the Administrative Unit of Mollaj has been identified, within the premises of the former TAP site. In Pogradec Municipality, possibilities have been created for setting up centers with considerable capacity. In Devoll Municipality, the spaces in the town of Bilisht and the village of Bitinckë offer over 11,500 m² in total, making this municipality an important reception hub. Kolonjë Municipality also offers strategic spaces.

In Maliq Municipality, the former depots of the State Reserves in Lozhan are expected to be used, while in Pustec Municipality three areas have been identified: the Zaroshkë Unit, the sports field of Pustec, and the sports field of Goricë e Vogël. In total, the Korçë district includes at least 10 emergency accommodation points.

In the district of Gjirokastër, the focus is placed on reconfiguring existing structures, mainly the former State Reserves, which proved functional during the 1999 crisis.

In Memaliaj Municipality, near the “Karafil Çaushi” Stadium, the placement of temporary structures is foreseen, while in Përmet Municipality the city hospital and the dormitories have been identified, which can accommodate up to 102 beds. In this district, at least three important reception points are planned, which may be expanded depending on infrastructure assessments.

In the district of Vlorë, a wider distribution of capacities is planned. In Vlorë Municipality, several key locations have been identified: the dormitories of the “Student City” and the Industrial School, as well as buildings that can be adapted for accommodation such as the “Flamurtari” Sports Palace, the Maritime School, and the offices of the Novoselë Administrative Unit. Each of these spaces has a capacity of up to 300 people, making the city of Vlorë a major reception center. In Selenicë Municipality, the village of Peshkopi offers land with a capacity of up to 250 people. In Delvinë Municipality, the city stadium has been identified. In Himarë, the stadium and public school facilities are planned, while the assessment process continues for other potential spaces. In Konispol Municipality, three schools and the Community Center in Mursi offer a total capacity of around 410 people.

Cost

The National Contingency Plan foresees expenditures for salaries, operating costs, and investments for the period 2026–2028. According to the four migration and emergency scenarios, the cost is expected to range from 195.6 million lek for the normal scenario to 708.7 million lek for the crisis scenario, which includes the establishment of the centers.

“KORÇA BOOM”