According to figures released by the Albanian government on Wednesday, almost three months after the 26 November earthquake, over 8,000 homes are uninhabitable and more than 10,000 people are still living in tents.
Minister for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj released the final report of damages caused by the quake. They are as follows:
- Over 8000 homes are uninhabitable;
- 10,023 citizens are living in tents;
- 12,000 families have received the rental bonus;
- 357 apartment blocks have been inspected in affected areas, 115 are to be demolished, 242 to be rebuilt and 1,500 houses are to be demolished;
- Out of 79 inspected schools, 62 will be rebuilt and 17 will be repaired;
- 1455 building permits were approved as per an expedited procedure;
- 88 structures have been demolished in the Municipality of Tirana so far.
Ahmetaj also announced that the cost of reconstruction areas in Tirana will be split between the State and the private sector. He added that the reconstruction fund will go to earthquake-damaged housing and the rest will be co-funded. Expropriations would be carried out at a price set by the Housing Authority.
The minister announced that the government has set up two platforms, “Shtëpia Ime” (My Home) platform for registering the damaged apartment and the “Portali Unik i Rindërtimit” (Unique Reconstruction Portal) for information on the reconstruction process.
The meeting of the National Reconstruction Committee is being held 5 days before the International Donor Conference to be held in Brussels.
