An earlier powerful earthquake that hit the country on September 21 had devastating effects for many homes in various areas of Tirana and Durres. One of the many Sept 21 quake-affected families in the village of Arbane, Tirana municipality, moved into their new home that was built in record time of two months only.

Osman’s family from Kukes, who moved to Tirana in the ’90s, was one of the families that became homeless following the tremors in September, when their previous home was declared uninhabitable. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, handed over to Osman the keys to new home. The head of the family praised the government head for his support during this difficult moment for him and his family.

“Osman has been living in difficult housing and economic conditions and he has children with special needs. That’s why we placed priority to families of such category when deciding whose home were we to build first. Everyone in the village agreed to build Osman’s house first,” Tirana Mayor said.

The newly-built three-room home was constructed in collaboration with Alban, the entrepreneur who took over the construction work.

“Enjoy your new home and congratulations. We need to become better people and work more. We have the will and the energies to do so. We will build every house and only patience is what it takes for this,” PM Rama said.

Many other families that became homeless after the September earthquake have already moved to their newly-built homes.