The family of Bujar Cuka in the village of Thumane that lost two of its members due to the Nov 26 tragic earthquake and the house they used to live previously have been handed over the keys to a new apartment, which was made available by the Municipality of Tirana, in a bid to heal and leave the wounds by the natural disaster behind.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, today visited the new Cuka family’s home. Prime Minister Rama voiced optimism as he called attention to the International Donors’ Conference due to take place on Monday in Brussels, to support the reconstruction efforts in Albania.

“We have been working hard through establishing contacts, conducting trips and important meetings and we have a good feeling that it won’t be something symbolic or something that would fall below our expectations. My expectation is to gain the kind of support that, along with the funds we have already earmarked and two other ideas we will set in motion soon, would allow us to meet the needs and take advantage of this moment to emerge better and stronger,” the Premier said, pledging “we will create the opportunity for all those affected to usher in a new life and move into much better homes they used to have prior to the earthquake. This is the challenge.”

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said that children of this family, just like other children in the area of Don Bosko neighbourhood, will soon attend lessons in two new school buildings. Mayor Veliaj underlined that work to construct two of 17 new school buildings has started in the area, namely “Vaçe Zela” primary school and “Kristo Frashëri” high school. “Two new schools are being constructed behind these villas under the project on constructing 17 new school buildings in Tirana. Children from the entire Don Bosko neighbourhood will attend their lessons in two mega-school buildings in a very near future. So, around 3000 pupils will attend lessons in the two new schools, ultimately addressing the problem in this area,” Veliaj noted.

Cuka family have been granted rental bonus by the Municipality of Kruja for a transitionary period until they move into a 2 + 1 apartment in Tirana.