Last August, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the world witnessed desperate scenes at Kabul airport as people scrambled to get onto evacuation flights. Among the countries willing to temporarily host the evacuees was the small Balkan nation of Albania. More than 2,000 are currently there, awaiting visa processing for the US and Canada. But this isn’t like most refugee camps — these refugees are being hosted at a 5-star resort overlooking the Adriatic Sea. With a swimming pool, buffet and beach views, all paid for by international organizations, it seems like the height of luxury. But as Andrew Connelly reports from Shëngjin, looks can be deceiving.
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