Prime Minister Edi Rama today visited the reception centre opened at the soccer stadium in Durres, the worst-hit city being close to the epicentre of earthquake that rattled Albania on September 21. The majority of people sheltered in the centre said they had decided to spend night there due to fear and panic following powerful earthquake and a series of aftershocks.

The Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu said that in addition to doctors and health personnel, a team of social workers and psychologists have been also employed to help people sheltered in this reception centre. “The multidisciplinary treatment of distressed people at this moment is very important. In addition to a healthcare team, a group of State Social Service specialists are also helping the affected people here in Durres,” Manastirliu said.

A neighbourhood No. 5 resident in the coastal city explained why she decided to spend night at the reception centre, where they were provided all necessary services to cope with tough moments, fear and panic due to the powerful tremors.

“The quake was really powerful. I was stuck inside the elevator. We spend last night here at the stadium where tents have been put up and health services were provided. They did wonderful job,” she said.

“The municipal structures, healthcare personnel and everyone else, including the central government, have done all outstanding work. As soon as we were informed on TV news reports we rushed to this reception centre. We are now relieved as we feared to stay at home,” said one of the old ladies accommodated in this centre.

The Premier advised them to move and accommodate at the summer vacation residence for State Police in Durrës, where 700 beds and optimum conditions have been already made available. “We do as much as we can do and not as much as we would have wanted to do. If we could afford it, we would do it immediately. However, we can’t control earthquakes, but the aftershocks are a normal phenomenon and they gradually decline as the tectonic plates stabilize. Nobody can predict earthquakes, even the United States cannot predict them. The reception has been opened for an emergency accommodation. But you can now move to the vacation residence of the State Police where 700 beds have been made available. We are here by you all to address any of your needs. All the teams have been deployed to contact and assist affected families.”

Another resident said she had decided to spend the night in the reception centre at the stadium because our house has suffered cracks. The Premier reiterated that the affected families will receive compensation for their damaged houses, which will be carefully examined to see whether they can be repaired or they pose any risk and invited her to accommodate in the summer vacation residence of the State Police.