AN East Lancashire aid team today told of the terrible conditions and chaos in the towns and cities of Albania, as charities try to reach the thousands of stranded Kosovar refugees.

Musa Haldarvi and his mercy team from churches and mosques throughout the area returned from the Balkans last week after their brave trip to take aid from East Lancashire to the Kosovo border.

But they nearly didn't reach any refugees at all because of the chaos in the Albanian capital Tirana and the main port of Durras.

Musa, of Blackburn Street, Blackburn, said: "We couldn't believe our eyes when we reached Durras - it was complete chaos. There were hundreds of trucks and vans all stranded at the port.

"There was no running water or toilet facilities and we were stuck there for two days. We got in touch with our contact in Tirana, but she said there was no way we would make it to the capital.

"We spoke to other people who had made the journey from England to bring aid and we heard stories of people being turned back. One team even had a fork lift truck stolen." They then decided not to head for the main border camp at Kukes, but, instead, aimed for the nearest town of Siyat, which has become home to thousands of refugees.

He said: "We joined forces with a team from Dorset and took our aid to the next town, where there was about 3,000 refugees. We have heard so many bad stories in Albania and the conditions were terrible, but we plan to go back."

Musa hopes to make his next trip in two or three weeks time and is looking for donations to buy food, toiletries and clothes in bulk to take out to the refugees.

To make a donation, call Musa on 01254 679160.

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