European Commission in the publication of the Progress Report for Albania for 2013, for the first time this report estimate and mention ALO-116 Albanian National Child Helpline as the only national emergency and referral service for children’s cases.
Decision 2007/116/EC of the European Commission in 2007 decided the reservation national numbers beginning with 116 as harmonized numbers to provide social services for children. The decision contains a list of specific numbers that start with 116, each of them is determined for the service specifics.Number 116- Standard Helpline for Children, 116 -111 Pan-European Line for Children, 116-000 Helpline for Missing Children. This decision is addressed to all the Member States of the European Union.
ALO-116 Albanian National Child Helpline is opened on June 1, 2009 and in the same year activated the harmonized number 116-111 Pan-European Helpline for Children in Albania and Albania so became the first non-member state of the European Union which made this number functional for children.
The Building and functionality of the harmonized numbers for children’s service, is a requirement of the European Union for those states that accede to become part of it.
ALO 116 gives its contribution to improving the situation of children’s rights in Albania, through counseling and referral childrens cases at support services.Since of its opening, ALO 116 was responded to 477.036 calls and has treated 12.346 cases of children across Albania.