Earthquake, Minister Xhaçka's press point: Verification of any damaged dwelling

Published: Sunday, 22 September 2019 23:29

The last 24 hours have been very hard for all of us: hours not only of physical but also psychological exhaustion. And I believe that in moments like these it is more important than ever for citizens to be aware of what is happening and to have a clearer picture of the whole situation.

As it has been said several times today, not only in official communications but also in communications with seismologists in the media, the seismic situation seems to have left back its most dangerous moment. It is true that some relatively strong oscillations were recorded yesterday night, but the other 300 oscillations that have been recorded in the last 24 hours have had a decreasing trend, with the majority being below 3 and even below 2 on Richter Scale.

Although earthquakes are impossible to predict, seismologists are unanimous in claiming that the downward trend of oscillations' power is a sign of stabilization. I know that after what many citizens have experienced yesterday they are still scared, but it is very important that we all return to normality together.

It is really good news that today, 24 hours after the main seismic event, complete information on the situation on terrain confirms that the damage has been far more modest than we might have expected from an earthquake of such magnitude. The most important thing: there has been no case of serious injury to citizens!

Nevertheless, I would like to assure the citizens that since yesterday afternoon all the institutions of the Republic of Albania are and will continue to be on readiness 24 hours a day, until the end of this situation. Albanian State has activated all the resources and energies as never before. Even the emergency situation seems overwhelmed, and the injuries are thankfully modest, we have chosen to move to a state of maximum alert realizing very well that this is what the citizens expect and deserve in these difficult hours for all. Thus, dozens of Emergency Headquarters teams have been deployed on the terrain by the Prefectures and Municipalities: 1,400 State Police officers, hundreds of Tirana and Durrës Municipal Police officers, 500 Armed Forces personnel are deployed to terrain teams or in readiness.

Emergency numbers are operating satisfactorily despite the large flux of calls. Only 112 received over 1100 calls today and over 950 cases were followed and assisted, while the remaining cases citizens were reassured without need of further assistance.

During the last 24 hours dozens of reinforced medical staff have been either on terrain or on high alert monitoring the situation, reaching out to citizens and assisting all the injured or those who sought medical assistance.

Yesterday's earthquake has caused much fear and trauma to the citizens. This is why, for the first time, these teams have also been joined by psychologists and social workers who are trained to deal with such situations and are in touch with citizens of Tirana and Durrës, the most affected areas by the earthquake. In toto, in the Tirana Durrës Region these teams are supported by 25 auto-ambulances that continue to stay in readiness now as we speak.

Over the past 24 hours, medical teams have assisted 295 cases, although fortunately, in almost all of them, there were not serious medical conditions and did not require further follow-up. All affected families, in each of the 915 damaged houses and buildings, have been contacted or are being contacted by teams, which have also been joined by specialists from the Institute of Construction, psychologists and social workers. I would like to point out that, according to the reports so far, most of these cases have minor damages, mainly cracking of the plaster or walls. However, those buildings that are already identified with more serious damage will be prioritized by experts, who will also provide a technical verification act that will determine whether they are habitable or not.

I urge all those citizens who have not yet been contacted by a verification team, to bear patience as the area affected by the earthquake is quite large and the time is very short.

Also, given the big number of dwellings that have been reported damaged, and the fact that their verification can only be done by experts and professionals in the field, I would like to reiterate the call that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has made to all construction companies, to support us with engineering capabilities in the process initiated by the Institute of Construction, for the verification of any damaged housing. Increasing these capacities with volunteer engineers will make it possible to complete this process within this week.

The same verification process is currently happening for every bridge and road, for all strategic infrastructures, for kindergartens and schools that result in problems. Given the fact that the recent event has certainly caused more fear and stress to those who are also the youngest citizens of Tirana, Durrës and any areas affected by the earthquake, the Ministry of Education decided that tomorrow it will be a day off for elementary and high schools in Tirana, Durrës and Elbasan districts, and also for kindergartens. As for parents working in public administration, all those who have children in kindergarten or elementary school can stay with them tomorrow.

I want to repeat my call for calmness, and this should not be understood as a call for indifference. I would like to invite all those families whose houses have been damaged, and who, due to very short time, have not yet been contacted to obtain a technical assessment of housing security, to take advantage of the opportunity for shelter offered by the Armed Forces but also by Tirana and Durrës Municipalities. So: 6 reception centers have been set up in Tirana. 3 reception centers in the Durrës, one at the Ministry of Defense's Rest House where 9 families are currently staying, another one at Ministry of Interior's Rest House and third one at “Niko Dovana” Stadium, where the AAF have set up tents and where 30 people are staying.
I want to assure the citizens that the whole state is coping with this situation, and supporting them in these difficult hours.

During the last 24 hours we have been able to checkup the new emergency coping mechanism that came into force after the Civil Protection Act.
I am pleased with the way this mechanism worked even though its consolidation is just in its early stages. I am pleased because the level of cooperation and response between institutions has been very effective, starting with prefectures and local government units, and continuing with the police, health, infrastructure, firefighters, education, and the Armed Forces.

The first 24 hours after the earthquake were certainly hours of emergency when the pressure on every leader, every effective, doctor or employee involved in this venture was incredible.

I want to thank everyone for the work done and I believe that every citizen today should be grateful to those men and women, fellows and youngsters, who have certainly experienced the same fear and anxiety as every citizen of Tirana and Durrës, but fulfilled their task with honor.

Also thanking the citizens for their maturity and cooperation I will continue to inform you of any developments in the coming hours and days.

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