Two weeks after the floods, still “much need” in Albania

“About 650 families will not be able to provide income because water flooded the crops,” said Evangelicals on the ground. Aid is needed for “people who have lost everything”.

Evangelical Focus

TIRANA · 20 FEBRUARY 2015 · 10:25 CET

Farmers trying to save cattle after the floods in Albania. / Balkan Insight,Albania
Farmers trying to save cattle after the floods in Albania. / Balkan Insight

The office of the Evangelical Alliance in Albania (VUSH) informed that the situation in the south of Albania “continues to be fragile”.

People in the southern region of the country still suffer the consequences of the floods which covered vast areas of land, killed cattle and destroyed the homes of hundreds of families.

“These areas are at risk of infectious diseases, for this reason measures are taken to perform sterilization,” office of VUSH told Evangelical Focus.

“Until now 850 head of cattle dead have been buried in Fier and Vlora, which were also the areas most affected by the floods. Experts in the field are following the situation of livestock damage in all areas, implementing controls to prevent abuse of the animal and dead birds, checking every vehicle that comes from flooded areas and can carry dead animals from the flood.”

 

650 FAMILIES AFFECTED

The floods will cause many people to lose financial income. “About 650 families” in the region of Vreshtas which “relied on agricultural land cultivation this year will not be able to provide any income as a result of water that has flooded the crops”.

Assistance to families has been provided in part by the Government and several businesses have also helped to “replace some heads of cattle and by sending different food and clothing (water, flour, mattresses, blankets).”

“But there is still more to be done,” say Evangelicals. “Now it is necessary to continue with the delivery of aid for providing the livelihood because people have lost everything.”

“The stabilization in their homes represents an immediate need”. Many “flats are still under water, so only a few families have returned to their apartments”.

 

HOW TO HELP?

VUSH has gathered some donations from its members, Evangelical churches and organizations, which will be used to meet some needs for families of flooded areas but the need is much greater”.

Published in: Evangelical Focus - europe - Two weeks after the floods, still “much need” in Albania