PLGP Success Story: Budget Reallocation Provides Access to Food Aid in Times of Crisis

In response to confirmed coronavirus cases, the Government of Albania took swift action, closing schools, non-essential businesses, and clearing streets within a week. This sudden disruption, combined with the aftermath of the 6.4 magnitude earthquake in November, left many families struggling to access essential services, including grocery stores and pharmacies. With public transportation ceased and borders closed, sources of income were severely impacted, and local governments were inundated with requests for assistance. In these times of duress, municipalities turned to USAID's Planning and Local Governance Project (PGLP) for support. The project's Municipal Expert provided virtual coaching to finance officers, suggesting alternative ways to organize Municipal Council Meetings in partner municipalities of Bulqiza, Cerrik, Dibra, Kamza, Librazhd, and Pogradec. By reassessing their municipal budgets, mayors were able to reallocate funds with appropriate approval from Municipal Councils, increasing the percentage of their total annual budgets designated as Emergency Funding. This reallocation enabled the distribution of food and aid packets to those in need, providing crucial support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, single mothers, and victims of domestic violence. In Bulqiza, the Foreign Assistance Coordinator expressed gratitude for the USAID Project's work and commitment to helping the municipality cope with the situation. The steps taken in Bulqiza included a reallocation of 3 million ALL (approximately 25,800 USD) to support those in need, including food support for 200 families over two months and a call for volunteers and businesses to contribute their support. The reallocation of funds in Bulqiza and other municipalities allowed for transparent support to citizens in real-time, demonstrating the agile response needed during this crisis. The efforts of USAID and local governments have built a spirit of community and solidarity, supporting Albania during the current crisis and moving forward together to face the challenges ahead as they recover. In Cerrik, the municipality was able to reallocate monies in their 2020 budget to provide additional emergency funds for economic and food aid for people from vulnerable groups in their community, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families in need.