Save the Children Cites Urgent Need to Focus on Children's Psychosocial Needs
WHAT: Soccer Tournaments for Refugee Children in Albania

WHO: Save the Children, one of the world's leading child assistance organizations, and families from refugee camps are organizing soccer teams for children at camps in and around Tirana, Albania as a first step in beginning to normalize children's lives.

Providing children with structured, recreational activities is central to Save the Children's approach to addressing children's social and psychological needs in complex emergency situations. In Tirana, they offer children living in excruciatingly chaotic and uncertain environments the opportunity to play, socialize, and have fun - while at the same time laying a foundation for ongoing work with the children. In addition, the games help give parents a much needed break and help in meeting their children's social and recreational needs.

GAMES: SATURDAY. APRIL 17 AT 11:30 A.M.
Mullins Camp, located about 12 km out of Tirana
Eight teams of 12-14 year old children (five on five teams)

* Helping to coordinate the Mullins Camp tournament is a Kosovar refugee living in the camp with his wife and two young children. He has helped Save the Children organize teams, schedule games, and secure referees for the games.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 AT 2:00 P.M.
Casina Camp, Tirana
Teams of 8-13 year old children (five on five teams

CONTACTS: Lauren Landis, director of Save the Children's humanitarian relief division, is in Tirana leading the agency's Rapid Assessment Team and will be available at both camps to discuss children's psychosocial needs during the Kosovo Crisis as well as ongoing efforts to provide activities to refugee children to help normalize their everyday lives.

Contact Lauren Landis or Corinne Woods at 355-42-26524 (Tirana) or Marianne LeVert at 203-221-4116 (office)