International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) was established in 1997 as a nonprofit non-government volunteer’s organization by a group of young doctors and nurses. It started as a local/national organization in Albania to respond to a sudden influx of nearly 500,000 Kosovo refugees that based in Albania at that time. IHA was created to voluntarily support them with free medical assistance. Initially it consisted only of 67 volunteer members, all of them with health background, as so its activities were mostly facilitating the health problems that Albania was facing at that time.
Even prior to the influx of Kosovo refugees, the rehabilitation of the Albanian health care system has been jerky. There were serious attempts at health sector reform resulting in the decentralization of all responsibilities to the prefecture and district level. Primary and secondary health care has been compromised through prolonged wanton neglect. In addition, the limited availability of the medical supplies and medical stuff has further compounded this situation. The resultant disproportional distribution of qualified health professionals has resulted in the rural and peri-urban ambulances (community health centers) being abandoned for the more lucrative urban facilities.
IHA headquarter is in now in Germany. The "Board of Directors" manages IHA and the Assembly is the highest decision making player. Today, IHA is not only working throughout Albania but also is running its activity in other countries in need. Also, nowadays IHA is not only working in the health sector but also in education, youth development, human rights, social and environment care programs because lots of needs are obvious. The increased number of volunteers makes IHA goals easier to achieve and afford. The number of volunteers coming from different countries of the world and from different backgrounds is increasing visibly. Dedicated volunteers make IHA’s outreach possible. Each year hundreds of caring men, women and children from all ages and walks of life give of their time, talent and resources in support of International Humanitarian Assistance. Last year, 800 more volunteers contributed an amazing job in community development projects and fund raising activities that support poor people with serious diseases and other humanitarian programs.
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International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) has a highly productive staff that serves as an active link between the broader community of public and grantees and decision-makers.
