Earthquake aftermaths, Xhaçka: heavy costs, but no one will stay homeless

Published: Friday, 29 November 2019 11:45

 

Dear citizens,

I know this morning finds us all more tired than the day before, because there are still nights of anxiety as a result of the aftershocks, which were felt even few minutes ago. However, the good news is that despite the situation is still active, the intensity of shocks has a noticeable downward trend, and hopefully all these are signs that this seismic situation is coming to an end.

These days have been really tough and difficult. There have been tragic days that have proved us all, and I am very proud that Albanians, everywhere, in the affected areas, and not, in the region and anywhere in the world, passed the test in the most dignified way. They have gained the admiration of the world with their solidarity and cooperation.

The lives lost, 48 of which have been identified so far, will never be recovered. This event has had such a heavy cost on casualties, that it will be remembered for the rest of our lives. It has also had extremely heavy material consequences and costs such as wrecked dwellings and buildings. Even today, when the rescue operation is coming to an end, our priority is to guarantee shelter, food and care to every citizen who is homeless.

Before I reflect on the work that we have done and are doing to better guide the citizens, I would like to reiterate the call I have made every day to the citizens and the local government.

If your dwelling is damaged, don't risk yourself and your family. Get away! Head off to accommodation facilities, as there are hundreds of beds in the best hotels in Durrës, Tirana, Lezha, Shëngjin or Berat or to your relatives if you wish. Stay away until the experts verify the situation because the situation in buildings with damaged structure is today as dangerous as it was in the day of the big seismic shock.

The risk assessment of dwellings by Albanian and foreign experts started today.

Citizens should know that, despite the tragedy, we are today in a situation where we are able to provide shelter and food, clothing and care and support to every affected family and citizen.

Our teams are present in all areas affected from Durrës and Thumana to Laç and Lezha. More specifically, residents are being assisted in the camps set up in: Thumana, Fushë - Kruja, Bubq, Ishëm, Marikaj, Vora, Kurbin, Laç, Rrogozhinë, Kamëz, Durrës and Tirana.

Overall, according to preliminary evaluation on the field, there are over 4 thousand residents that today cannot return to their homes. This number is likely to change in the coming hours. First, because a large proportion of these families are citizens whose dwellings have not been severely damaged, but who, as a result of anxiety and fear, have chosen to spend the night outside and will soon return to their homes as the situation stabilizes.

Second, because it is likely that many residents who still today underestimate the damage to their homes, after verification by our teams, will agree to relocate, bringing about a change in this aftermath again. I want to guarantee all the citizens that we are ready and no one will be left on the street!
Field kitchens are operating in Thumana and field kitchens are being installed, thanks to the contribution of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce in Bubq, providing over 10,000 hot meals for 7 days a week.

We are doing our best to provide the tents needed to withstand rainfall and winter cold, especially for families in rural areas who do not want to cut off contact from agriculture and livestock. Thousands of tents have been distributed since the first hours till today, and others are about to be spread. We are communicating with partner countries and the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to assist us with the necessary material basis. However, I would like to stress that the tent solution is an emergency solution! It cannot and it should not be a long-term solution for a thousand reasons, the most important of which is the quality of living conditions and the health of the citizens! Therefore, we will try to remove the residents from the tent camps and bring them to safer housing, as we did the first day with the people affected by the earthquake in Durrës.

I understand that every one of you today wants a dwelling. It is impossible to accomplish it within a day. Recovery will take its time because the damage is massive, from Durrës to Thumana to Laç to Shijak to Bubq in Tirana. There are dozens of buildings and hundreds of destroyed houses, and tens and hundreds more to be identified. Therefore, patience, cooperation and trust are needed. We are standing up. We are doing everything and we will do everything to overcome this situation together!