A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Albania in the dead of the night on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 3:54AM.
The earthquake that jolted the country had the epicenter 10 km north of Durres city and it was felt all over the Balkans and in Italy.
The quake caused power cuts in Tirana and Durres while people panicked and fled from their homes.
Some 50 victims are confirmed while over 600 survivors were rescued and are being accommodated in safer siatuations.
Majority of the victims were in Thumana and Durres, while a man died after jumping from a building in Kurbin. Search for survivors is almost over by search teams from several countries investigating the collapsed buildings.
Albania Earthquake: How to Help the Victims
In the light of the emergency state in the region of Durres and Tirana, Albanian and international citizens, the business community, the Albanian Diaspora, and foreign governments are showing their support and helping out the victims with assistance, disaster relief funds, and supplies.
Citizens affected by the earthquake are currently sheltered in Durresi Stadium, in camps in Thumana, Manza, at Kavalishenca Durres, in Vora, Lac, Mamurras, Lezha, and Mirdita.
Currently, the most needed supplies include tents, mattresses, blankets, water, portable toilets, medicine and food (Keep in mind that most premises lack cooking facilities thus food has to packed or snacks).
Albanian and Kosovan citizens and hotel owners have offered their houses and accommodation facilities in a sign of solidarity for the families that cannot return to their houses. The first buses already left to Kosovo, while Kosovan authorities and citizens and Albanians in North Macedonia have organized aid collection centers and continue sending their support.
Social centers in Tirana in Shkoza, Kombinat, Zogu i Pare, 5 Maji, and Lanabregas are open for the people affected by the earthquake. The competent local emergency management agency in the Municipality of Tirana is the Directorate of Civil Emergencies.
Aid collection centers in Tirana have been active at the National Theatre in Tirana, Vetevendosja Center in Albania, Petro Nini Luarasi high school, Pazari i Ri, etc. Meanwhile, local power units all over the country have organized their aid collection centers.
Sources: Local media, personal observation, Invest in Albania
