My submission to the World Food Prize New Jersey Youth Institute hosted by Rutgers University. The World Food Prize was created in honor of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in agriculture. The Youth Institutes run by the World Food Prize Foundation gather students, teachers, and experts from around the world to discuss and work towards solving global hunger and food insecurity issues. Students compose a research paper on a country of interest which is experiencing food insecurity or widespread hunger, conveying the country's situation and how it has arrived at its present state, as well as solutions that may help solve the deep-seeded issues at play. Albania: Bringing Clean Water to the People The political history of Albania, a small country on the Balkan Peninsula is Southeastern Europe, continues to affect the nation today. Currently a parliamentary republic, the twentieth century saw Albania gain its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, reach its present size due to the loss of more than half its territory through demarcation after World War I, and function as a monarchy until World War II (Prifti, 2019). In 1939, the Kingdom of Italy invaded Albania (Zickel & Iwaskiw, 1994), inspiring the formation of a communist group which gained significant support in 1942 (The Rise of Albanian Communism, n.d.). Albania then underwent German occupation from 1943 to 1944 (The Rise of Albanian Communism, n.d.). It emerged from World War II as a “communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty” (Prifti, 2019), first aligned with the Soviet Union until 1960, then China until 1978 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2021). The shift from a communistic system to a multiparty democracy has made for a difficult political and economic transition. Consecutive governments have failed to grapple with struggling infrastructure, high corruption, and high unemployment, to name only a few of the nation’s most pressing challenges (Central Intelligence Agency, 2021). Albania’s wavering economy has suffered from two major shocks, in 1991 and 1997 (The World Bank, 2019), with the latter due to the Kosovo crisis, which rocked the region. In Albania, the crisis resulted in a surge of refugees (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010) to a country that was already struggling to support and provide for its own people. Presently, Albania’s gross domestic product is growing substantially, but “poverty still affects a large proportion of the population,” limiting access to food and health services to many, mostly in the newly urbanized and rural areas of the country (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). From the year 1955 to 2020, Albania’s population has more than doubled, and the percentage of the population living in urban areas has increased from about 26.9% to 63.5% (Worldometer, 2020), drastic shifts in the country’s demographic layout. Agriculture accounts for a substantial portion of the nation’s gross domestic product, despite the fact that farm mechanization is incredibly low and most farms are small (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). Approximately 43% of the land is devoted to agriculture, with the nation’s main exports being cereals, medicinal plants, and vegetables (Central Intelligence Agency, 2021), though agricultural production is mostly utilized for subsistence (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). Albania is very mountainous, and contains a “rich hydrographic net” with over 200 groundwater resources, though the “degradation water quality of many rivers is significant” (Floqi, T., Vezi, D., & Malollari, I., 2007). Many Albanian citizens go without access to safe water, and are forced to use the significantly degraded water sources they have as a drinking supply (Floqi et al., 2007). Knowledge of the low water quality is widespread, but “detailed knowledge” of the water’s state or of the adverse effects of “inorganic and organic wastes” in the water is “still lacking” throughout the population (Cullaj, A., Hasko, A., Miho, A., Schanz, F., Brandl, H., & Bachofen, R., 2005, p. 139). On top of these severe water limitations due to misuse and mismanagement, the nation also faces widespread “soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents; [and] loss of biodiversity due to lack of resources for sound environmental management” and is often threatened by “destructive earthquakes; tsunamis [occurring] along [the] southwestern coast; floods; drought” (Floqi et al., 2007). Albania’s isolation has stalled its development. Its infrastructure remains “far below the standards of other European countries” to the detriment of its citizens, leading NATO and western governments to “[offer] funding for several construction projects” (“Albania - Infrastructure, Power, and Communications”, 2020). Especially in the nineteen-nineties and early two-thousands, this funding was mostly directed to projects focused on repairing and improving Albania’s existing rail lines and roads system. This was done to enable quicker and safer circumnavigation of the country as well as to connect Albania to its international neighbors, ventures the communist regime worked to limit, the ramifications of which have resulted in ongoing isolation despite Albania having legally had open borders for three decades. The Albanian government has also undertaken projects on their own, without international intervention or assistance, but these have not been nearly as successful. After securing ascension status to the European Union in 2014, Albania “committed to bringing its water and sanitation sector up to EU standards” (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). While the nation has “sufficient water resources to meet its needs” adequate clean water is not reaching the people, and will not unless “the management of those resources were [to be] adapted appropriately” (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). Among the Albanian government’s initiatives is the move towards the decentralisation of public services. Most notably, ownership of water and sanitation utilities is being transferred from the federal level to cities and municipalities, which have “effectively become independent companies overnight” (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). Many of these service providers are struggling in their newfound roles, due to the fact “the water infrastructure is obsolete” and that the country has been unable to “[adapt] to prevailing conditions” (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). This sudden shift has failed to alleviate pressure on public services, and instead now perpetuates “a vicious circle of underfunded service providers, insufficient investment, and deteriorating infrastructure, in particular for wastewater management” (Danube Water Program, 2015). These shortcomings are most obvious when looking to water treatment practices. Only about 80% of households in urban areas are connected to a drinking water supply network, a rate that is halved in rural areas (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). Even less homes are connected to the sewage system, which collectively treats about 13% of all wastewater, with the rest being “discharged untreated into rivers, lakes and the sea” (“Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, 2021). Even the water that is treated is likely to become contaminated once it leaves the treatment plants, posing a risk to the people and the environment. In recent years, agricultural production has “shifted towards supplying animal foodstuffs instead of human consumption” because of the economic benefits to such ventures (“Agriculture and Horticulture in Albania”, 2021). While likely not a direct result of this shift but instead of widespread poverty and an increase in sampling and data collection, iron deficiency seems to affect “a large population of children under 2 years of age” and there has been an increase in iodine deficiency disorders, especially “among children [in the] mountainous areas which represent a large part of the country” (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). Undernutrition of all forms affects a great deal of the population, in part due to the lack of water security and widespread poverty throughout the nation (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). It is vital that the Albanian government focus on revamping the nation’s water infrastructure, the lack of which is often the largest roadblock between the people and the water they need. The development of “proper wastewater treatment apparatus[es]” is necessary to prevent cross contamination between drinking water and sewage, which often occurs through leakage (Pure Aqua, Inc., n.d.). As of July 2020, the expansion of the Bovilla Water Treatment Plant in Tirana, the capital city, increased water treatment capacity by approximately 40% (SHUKALB Albania, 2020). This is an admirable increase in coverage, and a great step towards expanding the availability of clean water and improving water quality, but much is still left to be desired. The treatment facility, which began operations over 20 years ago, was built to service up to 300,000 residents in Tirana, a number which has since tripled (SHUKALB Albania, 2019). The Bovilla Plant needs to undergo another expansion by the same factor, or the construction of a secondary plant with this capacity is necessary, to simply meet the needs of the capital city, let alone the entire country. In the past, attempts at improving current infrastructure and systems, especially those surrounding public services, have been met with significant opposition from citizens due to the economic toll. Despite their hefty price tag, this widespread implementation is necessary, both to support the population and meet the ascension requirements to join the EU. Once ascension is achieved, Albania can qualify for additional financial assistance from the union, though to reach that point the government may need to take out loans to fund projects like they did for the expansion of the Bovilla Plant (European Bank, 2018). In addition to expanding the physical water infrastructure, steps must be taken to adequately train workers to support the new infrastructure. Even without the proposed, and necessary, expansion, “Albania does not have a sufficiently trained and qualified senior technical and management workforce to adequately staff its water companies” (Danube Water Program, 2015). This, in addition to the frequent recycling of utility directors that possess “no specific qualifications or experience for the position,” exacerbates the “inefficiency in technical operations and financial management,” weakening the utilities’ programs (Danube Water Program, 2015). Rebudgeting utilities to account for more extensive and widespread training can help close this gap and increase the productivity of the infrastructure, alleviating much of the limitations not addressed by the state of the infrastructure itself, while also providing many with safer, higher-paying jobs, both stimulating the economy and pulling people out of poverty. This would enable “better access to nutritious foods” and “improve the nutrition situation” overall (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010), especially in areas where water treatment and distribution facilities would be located. The implementation of widespread access to clean drinking water and treatment of sewage and other waste can only eliminate some of the physical barriers resulting in undernutrition such as iodine deficiencies. These necessary steps must be supplemented with educational initiatives on the impacts of the current state of infrastructure, and how it is detrimental to the population’s health as well as the environment. Such initiatives would also need to promote “better infant and young child feeding practices” and “diets rich in fruit and vegetables for all,” which are commonly overlooked due to the more pressing lack of water many face (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010). The Albanian government has evolved into the twenty-first century, but it’s infrastructure still lags behind, breaking down and unable to support the nation’s current population. Immediate action must be taken to expand the coverage and capacity of current water infrastructure, to ensure that all citizens have access to clean drinking water, and to train those working in utilities such as water services to both stimulate the economy and ensure water treatment and other services function at full capacity and efficiency. This approach would eliminate, or greatly weaken, the two major factors keeping people from maintaining healthy diets: lack of clean water and poverty. These changes, while necessary, would stretch the government’s financial resources greatly. Albania requires substantial loans or grants to revamp and expand their entire water distribution and water treatment system. Going into this kind of debt could prove extremely detrimental, but if Albania were to surpass the European Union’s benchmarks and other standards for water quality, Albania may qualify to become a member state, bringing with it the possibility of increased financial support from international allies. References Agriculture and Horticulture in Albania. (2021, February 1). Climate Change Post. Retrieved February 2021 from https://www.climatechangepost.com/albania/agriculture-and-horticulture/ Albania - Infrastructure, power, and communications. (2020). Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 2020 from https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Albania-INFRASTRUCTURE-POWER-AND-COMMUNICATIONS.html#:%7E:text=Albania’s%20infrastructure%20is%20far%20below,great%20pressure%20on%20the%20network Central Intelligence Agency. (2021, February 1). Albania - The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved February 2021 from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/albania/ Cullaj, A., Hasko, A., Miho, A., Schanz, F., Brandl, H., & Bachofen, R. (2005). The quality of Albanian natural waters and the human impact. Environment International, 31(1), 133–146. Retrieved December 2020 from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2004.06.008 Danube Water Program. (2015). Albania - A State of the Sector. Danubis. Retrieved January 2021 from https://sos.danubis.org/eng/country-notes/albania/ European Bank. (2018, February). GrCF: UKT Tirana Water Company. Retrieved December 2020 from https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/psd/grcf-ukt-tirana-water-company.html Floqi, T., Vezi, D., & Malollari, I. (2007). Identification and evaluation of water pollution from Albanian tanneries. Desalination, 213(1–3), 56–64. Retrieved January 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.03.603 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2010). Republic of Albania - Nutrition Country Profiles. Retrieved December 2020 from http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/alb_en.stm Improving drinking water supply and sanitation services. (2021, February 6). Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit. Retrieved February 2021 from https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/20440.html Prifti, P. R. (2019, October 4). Albania | History, Geography, Customs, & Traditions. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved December 2020 from https://www.britannica.com/place/Albania Pure Aqua, Inc. (n.d.). Reverse Osmosis & Water Treatment in Albania. Pure Aqua. Retrieved December 2020, from https://pureaqua.com/reverse-osmosis-water-treatment-in-albania/ SHUKALB Albania. (2019, February 7). Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company Starts the Implementation of the Capacity Expansion of Bovilla Water Treatment Plant Project – SHUKALB. Shoqata Ujësjellës Kanalizime e Shqipërisë (SHUKALB). Retrieved December 2020 from http://shukalb.al/en/shoqeria-ujesjelles-kanalizime-tirane-nis-zbatimin-e-projektit-per-zgjerimin-e-kapacitetit-te-impiantit-te-bovilles-per-trajtimin-e-ujit-te-pijshem/ SHUKALB Albania. (2020, July 29). Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company Inaugurates the New Expansion of Bovilla Water Treatment Plant – SHUKALB. Shoqata Ujësjellës Kanalizime e Shqipërisë (SHUKALB). Retrieved January 2021 from http://shukalb.al/en/shoqeria-ujesjelles-kanalizime-tirane-peruron-shtesen-e-re-te-impiantit-te-bovilles-per-trajtimin-e-ujit-te-pijshem/ The Rise of Albanian Communism. (n.d.). Albanian Tourist. Retrieved December 2020, from http://www.albaniantourist.com/albanian-communism.html The World Bank. (2019). GDP growth (annual %) - Albania | Data. Retrieved February 2021 from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=AL Worldometer. (2020). Albania Population (2021) - Worldometer. Retrieved January 2021 from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/albania-population/ Zickel, R., & Iwaskiw, W. R. (1994). Albania - Italian Occupation. Country Studies. Retrieved December 2020 from http://countrystudies.us/albania/30.htm February 2021, 12th Grade
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