The distribution of aids to flooded families in the district of Fier is going on through a well-organized and pretty functional process. The working groups launched for this purpose have already identified every affected family, and priority is given to the most damaged families.
Prime Minister Edi Rama was today in the district of Fier to inspect the process on the ground. His first stop was in the central point of aids collection, which consists of 5 big collection warehouses put at the disposal of the Central Headquarters of Emergencies. From this center, aids are distributed to every municipality where registered residents receive them upon submitting their IDs.
Shemsi Prençi, Director of Civil Emergencies informed that all structures in the central point are fully coordinated and are working 24 hours per day. Prençi said that aid packages consist in everything necessary to deal with the difficulties of this moment. “We have 5 big warehouses at the disposal of the Central Headquarters of the Civil Emergencies. We have collected all donations of the business, local and foreign, ranging from the most basic foods, concentrate for livestock, clothing, blankets, mattresses, etc. From here, aids are distributed in the three damaged municipalities of the district of Fier, Levan, Frakull and Ndërmenas. Operations continue for 24 hours. Necessary assistance has been provided to every family and it will go on. Meanwhile working groups have identified the damaged families, who were given priority. And then we continued with all the families who have water in their homes.”
“Biznes Albania” Presidet, Luan Bregasi thanked some of the business who with their donations helped families in need. He assured that everything given to residents is of high quality. “I want to greet all local companies that have contributed here in Fier. Business stands by the side of families in the district of Fier affected by this situation. It is a tremendous help. ”
The municipality of Fier has been also fully engaged in the process of aid distribution. “We have been here since 7 am with the entire staff of the municipality, the mayor, the vice mayors. We have here arranged all aids and they are ready to be sent to the families in need”- an employee of City Hall said.
In response to opposition accusations, Prefect of Fier Xhevi Bushi noted that the work for the distribution of aids is going on very well. “I wanted to underline the fact that, although the other part accuses us a lot, this work is going on in an organized and centralized way.” – he said.
While Prime Minister Rama replied to the Prefect: “Leave that part. We have said that they have been flooded since June 23, and as soon as they emerge from the flood we will let them dry.”
The Prime Minister appreciated the very good organization of aid distribution in Fier, which according to him represents a new example on which the government will build in the future the process of civil emergencies reform. The Prime Minister promised and assured that the government’s support will not be temporary, but will continue until the fulfillment of any obligation towards the affected families.
“We are here in Fier where there is a super organization. The collection of aids in a large collection point and then their distribution, zone by zone, where every registered family gets them upon submitted their identity cards, represents a new paradigm on which we will further build the process of reform and transformation of civil emergencies. We have already started this process, but this moment helps us looking closely at the reality, directly on the ground. On the other hand, I repeat that we won’t be here until the sun comes out, but we will be here even after the sun comes out in order to fulfill every obligation towards every affected family and every affected farmer. It is our priority to replace the lost livestock and support all those who lost all their production and an important part of producing infrastructure. As for the others, there is no problem because every family will be supported, will be helped and fed, and there is no doubt that they will receive assistance also for damages caused to appliances, firstly those that are most necessary.”
***
In the village Kashish of Frakull municipality, residents affected by flooding are receiving aid under all defined rules. Prime Minister Rama was there to follow the distribution process and to meet and talk with residents.
Residents of Kashisht informed the Prime Minister that aids were distributed regularly and that they were very satisfied with the support of all state structures, which these days have been fully available to them. “These days we have taken all measures, after being informed on the river inflows which were very heavy. We are very satisfied, because we have never seen such support from the government”, the alderman of the village said.
One of the residents said that “in 2005 they were affected by flooding but didn’t receive any support from the government.”
The alderman of the village informed that during these days aids have been distributed three times, giving priority to the supply of the most affected families. “Aid has been distributed for three days in a row; to 57 flooded families on the first day, to 57 other families on the second day and yesterday to 105 families. Yesterday, mattresses arrived for 10 flooded families. We have everything.” – he said.
Prime Minister Rama noted that the distribution of aid will continue in all areas, until all damages caused by flooding will be refunded. The Prime Minister assured that the government will be on duty to support the people affected. “The benefits will continue again. The warehouses are all things provided. Continue to be supplied with all things. Whether in Vlora, either here or in Berat and Gjirokastra, will continue to stand by, as to be closed not flood, but any damage, not only damages homes, but also damage the heads, damages in manufacturing that have been great in this area, a part of production infrastructure is destroyed. For us these are obligations that we will not leave without you standing one by one. ”
“We will continue distributing aids. Warehouses are being provided with everything. Both here and in Berat and Gjirokastër, we will continue staying by your side and assisting you, not only until the flooding is over, but until all damages to you houses, livestock and everything is refunded. Damage to production in this area was huge, and part of the production infrastructure has been destroyed. To us, these are obligations that we will repay one by one.”
Meanwhile, another resident said that in 2005, in a similar situation of flooding they had no support of the then government. “I am right-wing and I can say that in 2005 we did not have this support” he said.
Urging him to stay faithful to his political belief, the Prime Minister added jokingly: “You of the right wing are in big trouble. You didn’t receive the good from where you excepted it, but from where you did not. Legalizations, support after the flooding, support for your work, everything is coming from us, say from where you did not expected it.”
***
Classes were suspended in the 9-year school of the village Bishan for 1 week. Today classes started regularly in this school attended by pupils of three villages.
The principal of the school informed that, although there were many problems in the villages due to the flooding of agricultural lands, the school was not affected and teachers and pupils have attended regularly.”
The Prime Minister asked how missed classes will be cached up, but school teachers assured him that all measures will be taken so that student does not fall behind in any subject. “We have discussed it with Director of RED and no subject will be left behind”, they assured.
***
Prime Minister Rama visited also the aid distribution point in the municipality of Frakull.
The head of the municipality, Viktor Çervanaku said that every supply is being registered according to the date and kind of products distributed to the families affected by flooding.
“Everything is recorded, by date. On February 6 we received 200 mattresses, 140 tons food, 200 water, 40 tons of corn; on February 8 we received 250 packages of food, water, 375 flour sacks. On February 9 we received 346 packages of food for 160 flooded families. Everything has been done according to lists, in every village, and people have signed upon receiving. A working group is supervising everything.” – the head of the municipality explained.
Residents of the municipality of Frakull are being fully supported by the MP Ruçi, the prefect, the head of the municipality and the emergency headquarter. “Everybody is here, day and night. These are people’s word. Residents have received aid in food for 4-5 times.”
Prime Minister Rama said that this functional organization of aid distribution made it possible for the first time that assistance goes to those affected, thus avoiding abusive benefits at the expense of those damaged.
“It is important to understand that there i san organization chain which is different from any other time, there is a central point for gathering all supplies that come in the areas of Fier, Vlora or Berat, Gjirokaster, and the they are distributed to the municipalities, like this one. In this way, the people affected do not have to go and ask for supplies and argue with each other, and then god knows who received them, as it happened in the past. The fact speak for themselves, but most importantly it is the extraordinary dedication of these people, from the emergency staff to the police, local structures, prefects, heads of municipalities and headquarters launched in every municipality who speak about this extraordinary dedication.”
The head of Frakull municipality, Çervanaku said he felt very indignant over the allegations of the opposition for lack of assistance. He said that the opposition can come and asked about the aid to the families affected by flooding. They are being assisted 24 hours a day, he said: “Let them come and deal with us. We have all the lists. What come tomorrow will be recorded in these registers. We are totally supporting these people. MP Gramoz Ruçi, the prefect, the mayor and the emergency staff that consists of 20 people, everybody is here day and night. Residents have received aids 4-5 times. Enough with these provocations!”
