Turkey will construct 500 houses within six months for the families affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Albania on Nov. 26, 2019, Albania’s Minister of Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj said on Friday.

Ahmetaj disclosed this while speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum.

Ahmetaj said that the project includes the construction of 500 houses for the families, who lost their houses in the northern towns of Thumane and Lac.

This will also include some commercial buildings, one public school and the municipality of Thumane.

Kurum expressed his condolences to the victims of the Nov. 26 earthquake and wished quick recovery to those injured.

Under the instructions of Turkish President Recep Erdogan, Turkey immediately sent to Albania search and rescue teams and also provided additional assistance to meet the needs for tents and food, Kurum said.

Kurum added that

“Turkey had sent a total of 1,500 tents for the Albanian people”.

According to Kurum, Turkey’s specialist teams have been working to assess damage in the quake-hit areas.

They have inspected 6,000 buildings and submitted reports to the Albanian authorities.

Kurum also said that the construction project would be implemented by Turkey’social housing agency.

Ahmetaj said that the Albanian government’s goal was to provide every family in the village with a new home.

He added that the government would also either rebuild or reconstruct all kindergartens, health centres or schools damaged by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake by the end of this year.

 

NAN