VOA: Chaotic developments in Kabul are holding back the arrival of Afghans in Albania, flight impossible again

In Albania, authorities are continuing preparations awaiting the arrival of Afghan citizens fleeing their country for fear of Taliban threats. Tents have been set up in the military part of the airport in Rinas, where the first services will be provided to Afghan citizens. As of this afternoon, there was still no announcement of the departure from Kabul of at least 350 people who will be temporarily housed in Albania.

Chaotic developments at Kabul airport are holding back the departure of a group of Afghan citizens to Albania. For two days in a row the flight was delayed at different times. The last prediction was that the plane would depart today at around 1 pm from Kabul, to arrive in Albania in the afternoon, but again it was impossible.

In a meeting he had today with the leaders of several structures of the Armed Forces, State Police and Border Police, Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka said that the situation is being followed minute by minute in cooperation with the allies and that all measures have been taken. , whenever the first aircraft arrives. Minister Xhaçka has been appointed coordinator for the humanitarian operation in aid of Afghan citizens.

She inspected today the reception center and accommodation structures, specially set up near the airport, where Afghan citizens will be given first aid, psychological / social assistance and basic food service or other possible needs. The center, according to the ministry, is equipped with medical and first aid tents, and has a capacity of 400 people. The structures at the airport will serve as the first stop upon arrival in Albania. Afterwards, it is foreseen that with the completion of the legal modalities, the Afghan citizens will be accompanied to the reception structures in Tirana or Durrës, depending on the number of persons who will be temporarily housed in Albania.

In an interview for a Spanish newspaper, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated today that within a week, 1,000 citizens, activists, women journalists and people who have worked for American structures in Afghanistan are expected to come.

Student City is expected to be the first shelter. Minister Xhaçka inspected today the buildings where the Afghan citizens will stay. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also distributed images of the reconstructed interior.

The Afghan citizens, according to official announcements, "will stay for a few weeks in these centers, to then move to some hotel facilities on the coast waiting for the procedures for their transfer to the final destination", which are the USA.

Nga ana e tij kryeministri Rama reagoi sot ndaj zërave kritikë për vendimin e qeverisë së tij. “Është me të vërtet shqetësuese të lexosh se Shqipëria po strehon afganët vetëm se një gjë e tillë është kërkuar nga SHBA. Njëjtë siç është qesharake t’u kthesh atyre kurrizin dhe të fajësosh vetëm SHBA-në.

Ne ishin të gjithë si pjesë e NATO-S dhe ata njerëz ishin në krahun tonë, sepse ata besonin në idealet mbi të cilat bazohet SHBA dhe BE”, shkruan zoti Rama, duke shtuar se “Shqipëria po përmbush përgjegjësinë e saj si anëtare e NATO-s dhe për shkak të asaj që ne përfaqësojmë si komb” e duke kujtuar se shqiptarët “i detyrohemi kulturës dhe të kaluarës sonë të afërt si refugjatë dhe kujtimeve që do të trashëgojnë fëmijët tanë në të ardhmen”./ VOA