The Polus Center and Mine Action Partners Visit Albania

The Polus Center for Social & Economic Development recently put together a delegation visit with two other public-private partners to better understand the landmine situation in Albania and develop partnerships with local organizations to help fulfill remaining needs. The international delegation included Christine Manula and Dragana Bulic from the Landmine Survivors Network’s Washington DC and Bosnia-Herzegovina offices; Colin King of C. King Associates; Esteban Barahona from Walking Unidos Prosthetic Outreach Center in Leon, Nicaragua; and Michael Lundquist, Stephen Meyers, and two volunteers from the Polus Center. During the week long visit the delegation was hosted by the Albanian Mine Action Executive and the Victims of Mines Association and was assisted by the U.S. Embassy in Albania and the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.

The purpose of the visit was not only to learn about mine action projects and organizations already in place, but to interview landmine survivors throughout the northern border area of Albania to learn about their lives, needs, and goals.

To learn more about the Polus Center, please visit www.poluscenter.org.

[Photo courtesy Polus Center]