During the month of March, Vatra’s five Mobile Units operated across the 5 regions of Albania:
Vlora, Berat, Durres, Fier, and Dibra, working persistently to identify and support people at risk and
potential victims of trafficking. During this period, the Mobile Units directly reached and worked
with 283 individuals at risk, each with their own story, challenges, and need for support.
The people they meet are diverse, yet connected by common threads of vulnerability. A teenage girl
who has dropped out of school and spends her days isolated at home. A young boy working
informally to support his family. Migrants and asylum seekers trying to rebuild their lives in
unfamiliar environments. Many of them are not aware of the risks they face or the rights they have.
By entering communities (schools, public spaces, rural and urban areas marked by socio-economic
hardship), the teams create opportunities for trust. Conversations start informally, often with simple
questions, but can gradually open the door to deeper realities. In classrooms, community spaces, and
institutional settings, Vatra organizes information sessions that aim not only to inform, but to
empower – helping individuals recognize signs of exploitation and understand where to seek help.
At the same time, strong collaboration with local actors is essential. Police officers, social workers,
teachers, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations all play a role in recognizing and
responding to trafficking risks. Through regular coordination meetings and on-the-ground support,
Vatra helps strengthen the implementation of protection mechanisms and ensures that no case is left
unaddressed.
When a potential victim is identified, the work takes another critical step: referral and mediation.
Ensuring access to protection and support services can be a complex process, requiring coordination
across institutions and sustained follow-up. For each individual supported, this process represents a
pathway out of risk and toward safety.
Human trafficking continues to represent a serious challenge in Albania, affecting both nationals and
foreign citizens, with a particular impact on women, girls, and children. Trafficked persons
experience a range of human rights violations, from restriction of movement and withholding of
wages, to coercion and threats, and even severe physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
In this context, the work of “Vatra” Center becomes even more essential, aiming not only at
responding after trafficking occurs, but also at prevention, empowerment, and raising awareness in
the field, where the risk is real and silent.