Von der Leyen Pledges EUR 115 Million For Albania at Donor Conference

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has pledged some EUR 115 million in grants from the EU budget to help Albania following the 26 November earthquake.

The announcement was made today at the Donors Conference taking place in Brussels and was tweeted by the EU’s Ambassador to Albania, Luigi Soreca.

Von der Leyen addressed those in attendance, stating that “today we stand at the side of Albania in a moment of need. Albania will rise from the ashes of this quake. It will rise as a stronger and safer country, at the core of our European family.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the conference told those in attendance “let this be the day of reconstruction, solidarity, and hope for Albania and the EU”.

The quake claimed 51 lives, affected 10% of the population, cost some EUR 1 billion and has left over 10,000 living in tents.