Ruki Kondaj & Albania's Humanitarian Efforts During Kosovo Crisis

In 1998–1999, the Kosovo War forced over half the country’s population to flee their homes amid Serbian arson and war crimes, triggering global alarm. Before international aid arrived, neighboring Albania—itself recovering from crises—opened its borders and homes to Kosovo’s refugees.

As conflict escalated, waves of refugees streamed across Albania’s northern borders at Morinë, Tropojë, and Prushit Pass. Facing an unprecedented humanitarian emergency with limited infrastructure, the government opened its borders—and citizens opened their private homes.

As war escalated in Kosovo, an outpouring number of refugees fled across Albania’s northern borders — through Morinë, Tropojë, and Prushit Pass. Albania, still healing from its own crises, had never faced a humanitarian emergency of this scale. With limited infrastructure and little time to prepare, the government opened its borders — and the people opened their homes. Albania’s response was extraordinary. Over 435,000 Kosovars were welcomed not into camps, but into living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Albanians shared scarce food, warmth, and safety in an act of solidarity that defined a generation. — in an act of solidarity that defined a generation.

It’s the same spirit that, during WWII, saw Albanians shelter Jews from Nazi persecution . Albanians sheltered nearly 2,000 Jews, risking their lives under 'Besa' - an ancient honor code mandating protection for those seeking safety. Historians confirm no Albanian-turned Jews over to Nazis, making Albania the only European nation to end WWII with a larger Jewish population than before the war.

Credit: Dr. Ruki Kondaj

The Kosovo war was no exception. Besides being neighboring countries, the relationship between Kosovo and Albania is deeply rooted in a shared ethnicity, history and cultural ties. Having accepted 435,000 refugees – 25% of Kosovo’s population, the number of refugees entering Albania peaked at over 4000 per hour overwhelming the country and UNHCR placing a call for help to world leaders to lend a hand in the refugee crisis. U.S., Australia, many EU countries and Canada stepped in. Albanian households carried a large burden of the country’s refugee crisis weight, hosting between 60-70% of refugees in their homes, which embodied the honor code ‘Besa’, sharing rooms, meals, exchanging stories, cooking together and even learning new skills. Many refugees I spoke to on this project who stayed in Albania recall the feeling of safety and protection under their roof.

Canada’s Dr. Ruki Kondaj was one of the key figures during this time who coordinated health and women’s issues in the Albanian government, she gives us some insight of the process and some of the challenges Albania and humanitarian workers local and international faced “March 24, 1999—precisely on that date the first refugees started arriving in Albania, and the crisis management work began. I had the duty of coordinating health, the environment, and women's issues within the Albanian government, and each coordinator was involved in managing the crisis in their respective area of responsibility.”

Dr. Kondaj recalls the experience as life changing. Behind the scenes, Albania established a Central Emergency Group and Emergency Management Group to coordinate with WHO, UNICEF, and others. Though Albania had little precedent for such operations, it met the crisis with discipline, urgency, and compassion. “My colleagues and I had no prior experience with refugees, but together with international organizations, we worked as one large family and managed the situation successfully. This was made possible through strong collaboration with international bodies and adherence to the guidelines set by the Albanian government. Above all, the entire effort was marked by a profound humanitarian spirit. The entire crisis period unfolded in four phases” she says.

Credit: Dr. Ruki Kondaj

International health and humanitarian organizations flooded Albania to address the Kosovo crisis. However, establishing government crisis protocols proved intensely challenging due to Albania’s lack of prior emergency management experience. Dr. Ruki Kondaj, Health Coordinator for the Albanian government, notes trauma care posed particular difficulties: while global experts arrived to assist, Albania enforced strict licensing requirements to ensure only qualified professionals participated—a reflection of its disciplined oversight.

Behind the scenes, Albania—already economically fragile—mobilized amid the overwhelming burden. Dr. Kondaj describes the coordinated response "We established the Emergency Management Group (EMG), led by a special coordinator. Sector-specific ‘coordination tables’ directed operations. I co-chaired the Health Table alongside WHO, UNICEF, and Italian/Albanian Health Ministry representatives."

Dr. Kondaj later documented these crisis management strategies in medical journals.

Credit: Dr. Ruki Kondaj

In Canada, Dr. Kondaj has heavily been involved with the Albanian Community in Ontario and serving as the President of the local Community Organizations. She’s witnessed and has also helped shape the success of many Kosovar refugees who’ve found Canada as their safe heaven since arriving as refugees in 1999 part of Operation Parasol and other family reunification programs “Having worked with the Albanian community for over 17 years, I am naturally familiar with the progress made by many of our brothers and sisters in Canada across all fields. I proudly say that our brothers and sisters from Kosovo have made significant progress both in education and in business, and this is a positive aspect of the Canadian perspective” she says.

Although Dr. Kondaj was not in Canada during Operation Parasol at the time of Canada’s response in the crisis, she acknowledges Canada’s support in the crisis, giving relief not only to refugees but to countries such as Albania and Macedonia who were overwhelmed with the outpouring of refugees overburdening their borders – exceeding the country’s capacity. “I came to Canada after 1999 and was not here at the time, as I was in Tirana coordinating the Kosovo crisis with the Albanian government. We also all know that through its programs, Canada has offered significant assistance” she says.

While Dr. Kondaj coordinated aid in Tirana (later moving to Canada), she acknowledges Canada’s critical support:

- Military/police missions and CIDA aid for food/security
- Health sector focus (primary care, HIV/AIDS, disability services)
- Legal/education system reforms
- **Operation Parasol** resettling Kosovar refugees

“As Albanian Canadians, we should appreciate these relationships and be grateful to Canada for its continuous support to the people of Kosovo.” she adds.

Dr. Kondaj Honoured for Outstanding Community Leadership

Credit: Pasqyra Shqiptare

Credit: Dr. Ruki Kondaj

Dr. Kondaj completed her higher education in Tirana at the Faculty of Medicine, majoring in Pharmacy. She’s a medical author and is the recipient of many prestigious awards including ‘Ambassador of Peace’ awarded by World Peace Federation. She has taken her leadership role into advocacy for the Albanian Community in Canada, where she’s the founder of the Albanian Heritage Month Law in Ontario and on a federal level, has helped introduce the Albanian Heritage Bill where the First Reading in Canadian Parliament took place in 2023.

Dr. Kondaj continues to serve her community— both in memory of the past and in hope for the future. She was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding community leadership.

Dr. Kondaj continues to leave a living legacy to her community and enjoys her new role in the recent years as a grandmother as her family marks 25 years in Canada.