Earthquake 2019

Albania was stuck by a strong earthquake in the early hours of 26 November 2019.  The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, was the most devastating earthquake to hit Albania in over 40 years and it was the deadliest earthquake of 2019.  The epicentre of the earthquake was close to the town of Mamurras in the Municipality of Durrës in central Albania.  The earthquake affected over two thirds of the population and resulted in over 50 fatalities and considerable and widespread damage to buildings particularly in the municipalities around the epicentre, including Durres and Tirana.  Around 3,000 people were injured, and 14,000 people were made homeless by the earthquake.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake Help organised emergency assistance to support families directly affected by the earthquake.  On 27 November 2019 Help sent two vans from Kosovo with emergency supplies for families in need.  These emergency supplies included blankets, sleeping bags, duvets, pillows, mattresses, and hygienic packages.  Help distributed these emergency supplies to 150 families in the areas most directly affected by the earthquake, in the city Durres and the villages of Bubq, Ishëm and Thumanë. 

On 29 November 2019 Karin Settele, the then Managing Director of Help, arrived in Albania and joined Help’s emergency team distributing emergency aid on the ground to the families affected by the earthquake. Karin called for stakeholders in Germany to support families affected by the earthquake.

Help was proud to support families in need.  After the earthquake and in response to the emergency Help established its Mission in Albania and opened its national office in the city of Tirana.