Albania’s national child helpline – ALO 116 111 – has launched a web-based reporting platform, “Raporto Tani” (“Report it Now”), with the help of Unicef Albania and the European Union. The portal is the first of its kind in Albania and allows reporting of any violation of a child’s rights at any time of day and from anywhere in Albania. All children and adolescents in Albania will now be able to report any case of violence, abuse, or bullying via the online www.alo116.al platform and the ALO116111 smartphone app with a single click.

The www.alo116.al platform and the ALO116111 app have also been designed as a counselling space for both children and parents. In addition to the reporting function, the website includes a dedicated chat function that children and adolescents can use to communicate with counsellors in real-time. Counselling and information is available for children and adolescents who are experiencing violence, bullying, exploitation or neglect. Support is also available for the families, parents and guardians of these young people.

Speaking at the launch, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation in Albania, Mrs Lenka Vitkova said: “I am happy that two EU funded projects implemented by our partners UNICEF and Terre des Hommes are supporting the national child helpline […] This will enable vulnerable children & families affected by COVID-19 to access social protection, education and mental health & psycho-social services.”