Social and Humanitarian Work.
During the country’s various crises (1992, 94, 97), the Orthodox Church of Albania has undertaken a wide range of social and humanitarian activities, providing and distributing thousands of tons of food, clothing, medicine, etc. to people in need. In 1997 alone, thousands of tons of food, clothing, and medicine were provided.
The Church has supported a large number of social programs, including development projects in mountain areas, agriculture and livestock projects, infrastructure creation (road and water supply construction), health and social programs for women in rural areas, and children’s health education. The Church has established health centers in villages and has offered contributions to schools, orphanages, hospitals, institutions for disabled people, asylum centers, shelters for prisoners (e.g. the construction of a greenhouse was undertaken where prisoners could work and receive some income and an activity center was built which consisted of a mini-athletics field and computer room for prisoners), and soup-kitchens for the poor, etc.
In 1999, when thousands of refugees arrived in Albania from Kosovo, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, in collaboration with international donors and religious organizations (especially the ACT program of the World Council of Churches) developed an assistance program. This program totaled over $12 million and assisted more than 33,000 refugees from Kosovo by providing food, clothing, medical care, and housing (in two camps). The last refugee camp to remain open Albania (closed June 2001) was administered by the Church.
In 2008, from the first moments after the tragedy in the village of Gerdec, the Church provided both material and human contribution, as well as appealing for and gathering various aid from Orthodox believers inside and outside of Albania. This aid was distributed to the injured. In addition to the aid, the kindergarten in the village of Muçaj was completely rebuilt.
The Orthodox Church also contributed to helping the residents affected by the terrible floods of 2002, in the districts of Lezha, Berat and Gjirokastra and in 2010 in the city of Shkodra. In the last few years, the residents of the districts of Fier and Vlora, affected by flooding, have been continuously assisted.