Albania has the smallest number of doctors per capita in the Balkan region - 1.2 doctors per 1000 persons, and 3.6 midwives / nurses per 1000, a situation is further exacerbated by the continued migration of the country’s medical professionals to other EU countries, especially Germany, for work. The lack of medical staff is felt most in remote mountainous areas of western Albania with poor roads and infrastructure.

The Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017 recognizes that the inclusion of women in efforts to maintain global peace and security makes such efforts more effective. As such, the United States is committed to increasing women’s meaningful participation in peacekeeping and security operations. As a result, USAID is partnering with the Department of Defense through the U.S. European Command on a project to build community resiliency and sustainability in Albania through activities that will contribute to the prevention of social exclusion, violent extremism, radicalization, marginalization, recruitment and conflict.