On February 17, 2018, Kosovars celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Republic of Kosovo’s independence. What was once a distant dream of an independent Kosovo, is now a hopeful reality. Though the youngest country in Europe, Kosovo stands today as one of the United States’ strongest allies in the Balkans. The US has worked closely with the Kosovar people throughout the country’s short history to promote prosperity, inclusivity, stability, and regional security. As Kosovo continues to develop economically and institutionally, the strengthening of legal, security, and emergency response services offered by the Government of Kosovo is a crucial next step in improving both the situation on the ground and the lives of Kosovars from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The Kosovo Border Police (KBP) serves as the first line of security and law enforcement along Kosovo’s international borders, and is comprised of Kosovars of a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, as are the civilians they work to help and secure. One US Army team in Kosovo is working directly with KBP to ensure their officers have the medical capabilities and equipment needed to keep themselves safe and to respond to emergency situations faced by the civilians they work alongside. Every day, the officers of the KBP undertake dangerous missions to stop smuggling, illegal crossings, and other malign actions, while, at the same time, providing emergency medical assistance to citizens in crisis situations throughout the areas they patrol.

SoA’s Nick Israel with KBP leadership, examining emergency medical kits deployed with the KBP’s mounted units responsible for security along key areas of Norther Kosovo Province’s border with Serbia.

After identifying the need for critical lifesaving medical supplies and trauma management training within several KBP units, the US Army team reached out to Spirit of America for assistance. While this US team is providing the training, the soldiers are unable to fund the supplies needed to equip the KBP officers with the medical care resources needed during real-world emergencies. The team’s medic identified a backpack-sized trauma kit, as well as missing equipment from the officers’ individual first aid kits (IFAKs) that, once provided, will address this critical medical supply gap and leave a tangible, relevant remainder of the benefits of a strong relationship with the United States. Your support will have profound effects throughout Kosovo, as it allows the KBP to operationalize their training to meet the safety and security needs of the population in vulnerable areas. It will also help the US Embassy continue to build relationships with community leaders and partner forces in Kosovo, which in itself is a crucial step in keeping the nation on track toward sustained peace and stability.

With your help, SoA will provide the equipment needed to strengthen the bonds between the US soldiers serving in Kosovo and their local partners. Not only will this improve stability in the region, but also help ensure Kosovo and, by extension, the entire Balkan region, remains safe, secure, and free.