We are in the middle of the Earthquake emergency here in Albania, I wanted to share with you how we (I and my family) lived and managed this situation and what’s going on in this poorest country in Europe after the Earthquake.
My children were sleeping in their beds when the first Earthquake, measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, happened on 26th at 4.00 am.
Children felt the shakes so strong that they woke up, got very scared, and run fast with tears in their eyes to my bed. Victoria cried a little bit as I hold her tight and the Earthquake stopped, after 178 interminable seconds. Slowly, minute after minute, she calmed down. We were all still terrified and half-asleep because the Earthquake came suddenly waking us off from our sweet dreams and interrupting the quiet of the night. The Earthquake doesn’t ask when to come. We were so shocked and what just has happened, seemed impossible and incredible for us.
We didn’t move, we stayed there, cuddled under our worm and soft blankets until everything returned to normal. We spoke about the Earthquake with the children and were trying to answer all the questions they had. We felt safe, all of us together in one bad for hours.
The sun finally came up. We were about to fall asleep, when the next, strong and shorter aftershock came at around 7.00 am the same morning. We’ve got scared but tried not to panic. Now, the situation seemed so real and tangible.
For me, it was just a warning, the Earthquake is not done yet.
As the minutes run by, we prepared for the day, ate the breakfast and dressed up for the eventuality to go out of the house. The school announced to be closed. We did not watch the TV and news because we didn’t want to put ourselves down, spread the bad news around and consciously we choose to avoid speaking of the Earthquake at all times.
I called my friends and family and got the reassuring messages that they’re safe and secure. I’ve got many calls as well from people abroad, who just saw the news on TV or radio for the Earthquake in Albania and were worried about us. Thanks for asking – it’s so heartwarming when you know some people love you and cares about you!
For the rest of the week, the schools were canceled so we just stayed home, Vicky kept coloring and drawing and David did his Lego.
On the next day, the earth was shaking again. Across the city, people poured out of their homes and businesses — again. Officially, this time it was a the 5.1-magnitude quake, but in a city where nerves are already frayed and poorly constructed buildings pose a threat even when the earth is not moving, the number hardly mattered. The helpless feeling was the same.
Unfortunately, many children had experienced this situation as trauma and a very terrible experience. One of the closest friends of Victoria had cried for the whole day. She wouldn’t allow her mother to go away from her, even to go to the toilet, being scared the Earth will quake again.
We took her with us on a short trip in the countryside near Tirana, Petrela. We wanted to feel like it was a normal day. We wanted to make her happy, tried to remind her the need to move further.
She felt hopeless, sad, this is understandable and we don’t have to stop these feelings: we need to reassure and support and let the emotions process and go. The feelings like fear, anger, sadness, and distress have to be acknowledged and then released. The best we can possibly do in this situation is to stay with your children, be available to speak and reassure, be aware of their fears and anxiety. Be there for them.
Unfortunately, in Thumane and the zone of Durres, the situation was terrible and many people were found dead under the collapsed houses. Moreover, there were many injured children and people who seek help in hospitals. Some people were not able to return home due to their buildings being officially condemned by the government. Others were in fear and will not return home as their buildings were on the verge of being unsafe.
The official death toll climbed to 51 as the authorities slowly shifted from rescue operations to recovery efforts. Officials said 750 people had sought medical attention, including 35 who remained hospitalized, and one who was airlifted to Italy. Several thousand people whose homes were destroyed were being sheltered in hotels and other locations. But tens of thousands more were living in places that might be structurally unsound.
Not only the seismic earthquake, but a political and societal crisis is affecting Albania now. BUT GOOD PEOPLE ARE HELPING- VOLUNTEERS, THE REAL HEROES of this catastrophic event, who helped collect, sort and distribute food clothes, food, and temporary shelters for those without a roof or for people whose damaged proprieties are TOO damaged for them to return to. Albania, besides solidarity from many countries, and compassion, has been given several hundred tons of aid. We’ve got NGOs from all over the world, the tangible help came in convoys from Kosovo, TIRs from Serbia and Greece, Italian rescues teams and firefighters with their special equipment and work experience in this kind of disaster.
Mirela Sula, the Albanian businesswoman, who moved to London seven years ago and founded the Global Woman Club, said the Albanian community in the UK was also mobilizing to gather whatever support it can. She is trying to rally money, food and supplies for people affected by the quake
Even my countrywoman, polish writer and winner of many literary awards, Malgorzata Rejmer, is fundraising money from Poland to support Albanian damaged society. She will help those in the bigger need, in the sides like Mamurras, where no government representative has appeared in for three days. The Caritas Poland also joined and opened its fundraiser.
The International school, in which my kids are, is giving shelter for more than 35 people every night. Volunteers are preparing food, cook and deliver meals every night from the very beginning of this tragedy for more than 100 people.
I ALL THIS I FEEL ENDLESLY GRATEFULL AND BLESSED THAT MY FAMILY IS SAFE, WE HAVE HOME, FOOD, WE ARE SAFE ANS SOUND.
But still, many people seek help, they need clothes, food, mattresses, tents, water, baby food, and sanitary supplies and sanitary products.
People are in panic and worried, they’re angry, scared and sad about what the future holds. People are STRUGGLING. We need to keep giving, helping to share and supporting each other in these difficult times. Even those who have lost everything, live with the fear of another large quake. We have to help them, we don’t have to stop helping, even if the Earth is still, for now.
