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Foreign Minister Maas on today’s international donor conference for reconstruction in Albania
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas issued the following statement today (17 February 2020) on the occasion of the international donor conference for reconstruction in Albania following the earthquake of 26 November 2019:
The severe earthquake in Albania in November claimed 51 lives and caused severe damage. Germany dispatched THW experts, who provided immediate emergency relief and aid supplies. The priority now is reconstruction. People in the affected areas need housing, schools and daycare facilities. Germany is making available 11 million euros for this purpose. It is a strong sign of EU solidarity with Albania that the Commission is coordinating international emergency aid and has organised today’s donor conference.
Background information:
On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by the strongest earthquake in 40 years. 51 people lost their lives and more than 900 were injured. 17,000 people have become homeless due to building damage. The most severely affected areas were the Durrës region and the capital Tirana. Immediately after the earthquake, the German Government provided emergency assistance in close coordination with the EU and sent THW experts to the respective areas. Supplies worth some 270,000 euros were also sent, including blankets and emergency kits.
In Brussels today, the European Commission is hosting an international donor conference for Albania under the heading “Together for Albania – International Donors’ Conference after the earthquake”. Germany is providing financial reconstruction assistance amounting to 11 million euros in the form of grants. The funding is being made available by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It will be spent on the reconstruction and refurbishment of schools, daycare facilities and education institutions.