However, with students away for the summer break and yet to return to their dormitories, a part of the reconstructed facilities will be made available to temporarily house Afghan refugees.

Touring the new dormitories, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj noted that helping those in need of protection is a tradition in Albania.

“The message Tirana should convey to the Afghan citizens, who will be temporarily housed in our premises and be accommodated in hotels later before heading to the United States, is that they are human beings too,” Veliaj said.

Mayor Veliaj underlined that Albania itself has been a nation of migrants and the country has been affected by major catastrophes like the devastating earthquake in November 2019.

The Albanian government has approved a decision to give refuge to some 250 Afghan civilians over the course of the next few days. They include interpreters, fixers and other helpers to the US military.

/k.s//a.a/u.sh/