EU stands by Albanian people after the earthquake, Xhaçka grateful for life!

Published: Monday, 02 December 2019 13:15

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780 experts from 14 countries, mainly from the European Union, part of the Civil Protection Mechanism, arrived in Albania a few hours after the earthquake to assist Albanian Search and Rescue (SAR) teams.

At the time that SAR operations were completed, some of them are proceeding to buildings inspections damaged by the earthquake.

The Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka thanked the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, for the support given just at the first moments after the tragedy, enabling the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and together with the United Nations sent to our country a team of experts led by Peter Glerum.

“Among mourning and pain of the days that followed the November 26 earthquake, the only beautiful thing which fills our hearts and minds with hope and confidence, was the remarkable solidarity that flowed from Albanians to each - other, whether in Albania, Kosovo or everywhere else and from our friends and partners in the EU and beyond. An event of that size would have been difficult to handle for any country, however strong and developed it might be. And we would have had more casualties, had it not been for the immediate help we received, experts who worked with such heroism and dedication to save lives in such dangerous conditions. The 780 experts from 14 countries who fought so hard for the Albanians will have our gratitude for life. I am very optimistic from the messages we have received, from the readiness communicated to us, and above all from the help we have received and the extraordinary commitment shown by EU member states, that we will not be alone in this challenge. And we will all come together to overcome this tremendous challenge.“- said Minister Xhaçka.

The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to our country, Luigi Soreca, said that construction engineers from 6 countries are inspecting damaged buildings on the ground. According to him, priority is being given to schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure.

“We will look into how the European Union will help Albania rebuild itself with a mid- to long-term perspective. This discussion will start on Thursday with the visit of our new European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič. Planning the reconstruction will require a thorough Post-Disaster Needs Assessment and efficient donor coordination, both of which the EU is ready to support. Solidarity is at the heart of our European Union. "

Immediately after the earthquake shocks of November 26, 2019, EU countries such as France, Greece, Italy, Croatia and Romania together with the Republic of Kosovo, Israel, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey sent rescue teams to look for survivors or casualties in the rubble.

At the same time, EU countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia sent material aid, mainly tents, beds and blankets.

As the SAR operations finished, the EU Civil Protection sent a team of engineers, who joined the UN experts, to assess the damages.