A recent report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the situation regarding the movements of migrants in the region, covering the period from March 1st to March 31st, 2024, delineates the role and impact of Albania on the route of migrants towards destinations in Western Europe.
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| Map of immigrants in the Balkans (Photo RTSH) |
According to the report, Albania has been utilized as a key transit point for migrants en route to Western European countries. The report is based on a survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which interviewed 1,484 migrants during the specified period.
The passage through Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo was faster on average than through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Migrants arriving in Albania spent around 4 days in the country. The primary mode of travel in Albania was on foot, followed by bus.
In March 2024, approximately 44% of the interviewed migrants reported that they were assisted in crossing the border in the country they passed through, for an average fee of 500 euros.
In the temporary accommodation countries, such as Albania, migrants reported that private accommodation was the most commonly used method in 69% of cases.