Albania flood response ends but support for education & livelihoods continues

Some 250 families received food for livestock, 200 received food packages and 80 families received mattresses.

More than 200 children received clothing, 180 of whom are involved in World Vision activities through the Vlora Area Development Program (ADP).

About 92 per cent of funds received for the disaster went directly to the families and the children World Vision distributed 5,650 kilograms of flour, rice, pasta, sugar and salt as well as 2,000 cans of tuna, 600 litres of cooking oil and 200 packages of biscuits for children.

Some 555 cotton blankets and 2,430 clothing items were distributed to families and children as well as hundreds of plastic boots and torches. All of the Roma children from the literacy course returned to class with winter clothing and school supplies provided by World Vision.

World Vision also distributed 17 water pumps on 16 December with one pump to enable three to four families to clean out their muddied water wells, as well as for future usage.

As it concludes its distribution effort, World Vision continues to explore the possibility of refurnishing old army depots for five Roma families whose homes were devastated by the 2 December flood.

It is estimated that the run-down accommodation will cost about US$500 to renovate.

“We especially thank World Vision for the support given to the Novosela Commune, families and children affected by the flooding,” said the head of Vlora District.

“About 92 per cent of funds received for the disaster went directly to the families and the children,” said Holta Tradafili, Vlora ADP Team Leader.

Tradafili added, “I am grateful for the immediate support that World Vision Albania received at this time of need. We were able to give a hand within the first week after the disaster, while all the other agencies and the government were still trying to figure out what to do.”

“Even more than feeling a sense of satisfaction for being responsive and keeping up our good name, I am thankful to God for letting us help people in need,” said the team leader.

The head of Novosela Commune and the Commune council awarded Tradafili, along with a few other local government representatives with the title: ‘Citizen of Honor’, in recognition of their contribution to the community.

“I really appreciate your help and do not know how to repay what World Vision has done for us,” said Roma mother Drita Veizi in Novosela commune.

The Head of the Prefecture congratulated the World Vision staff: “Through your immediate response, you have raised the bar and standard for the government and other NGOs.”

Through your immediate response, you have raised the bar and standard for the government and other NGOs World Vision, the Albanian Army, Agriculture and Food Department, Albanian Red Cross, Albanian Government and Vlore Health Department were amongst governmental and non-governmental organisations that distributed relief supplies after the flood.

World Vision declared a Category 1 emergency after the flood hit, affecting more than 256 families in four villages, including World Vision’s US-funded Vlore Area Development Program (ADP).

The total damage created by the flood is estimated at 88,000,000 Leke (US$88,000); 44 million Leke (US$44,000) in infrastructure and 44 million Leke (US$44,000) in damage to property, belongings and livestock.

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