Humanitarian Assistance to Earthquake-Affected Communities in Kruja Municipality

November 2019 – May 2020

 

At the end of November 2019, Albania was hit by a 6,4-magnitude earthquake followed by several powerful aftershocks, costing the lives of dozens and injuring thousands. The epicenter was in the Adriatic Sea close to Durrës and 30 km west of the capital, Tirana. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Albania since 1979 and the world’s deadliest earthquake in 2019. It is estimated that 80,000 – 100,000 people are directly affected by the earthquake. There is significant damage to infrastructure, including residential areas schools and medical centers. An unidentified number of people are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and are in urgent need of psychosocial support.

ADRA Albania’s is responding by providing direct humanitarian assistance in the following sectors:

  • Food security
  • Shelter
  • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
  • Education
  • Psychosocial support

 

The intervention is focused on some of the most affected geographical areas which are: Krujë, Thumanë, administrative units of Fushë-Krujë, Bubq and Tirana. In spite of political rhetoric, providing the Roma and Egyptian communities with humanitarian aid is not considered a priority of the government and state institutions. ADRA Albania has been implementing educational projects in the affected regions for over ten years, including psychosocial support to vulnerable groups of adults and children. Due to this long-term presence and involvement at grassroots-level, ADRA Albania is well known by the communities as well as the local authorities. For this reason, the intervention specifically targets the needs of Roma and Egyptians, communities which are nor even further marginalized, while also taking into consideration additional vulnerable groups.

In total, 585 people (over 100 families) are directly benefiting from the project’s activities. These comprise, among others, hot meals, stoves, portable toilets, showers, solar water heaters, washing machines, hygiene kits, tents and other shelter materials. Additionally, approximately 3,500 children and adults are provided with psychosocial support through individual counselling sessions, group therapy sessions excursions and supplementary classes.

Funded by several donors of the ADRA Network, the project is implemented and coordinated by ADRA Albania. It will run until May 31st, 2020.