Fire claims four homes and hundreds of acres of
forest trees and olive groves all over Albania
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Kujtim Balla World
Vision staff delivers blankets to the Belba family in the early hours of the morning
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
Four houses destroyed by the fire left 23 people in Qukes commune 30 kilometers
from Librazhd town in Central Albania without a home.
'It was unexpected, we were unable to save any of our belongings, and the fires destroyed everything so quickly. I thank God however, I was in time to carry my six-years old granddaughter Elena out of the flames,' said Sherif Belba
The fire started around midnight on July 27th before long the flames destroyed everything. The causes of the fire are yet unknown, however many suspect the high temperatures to be the reason. There is no report of causalities; however, women and children are traumatized. Besides household belongings the fire has destroyed all the crops the families' main sources of income and food.
'We were the first one to respond and assist the families in need with food, blankets, basic hygiene and clothing items' said Gentian Mano Librazhd ADP manager
'These families are desperate for help and World Vision will continue to support and help them restart their lives' continued Mano.
Although the fire in Qukes commune was extinguished later in the day, the same climate conditions have contributed distructive fires elsewhere in Albania. The flames devoured hundreds of acres of forests and olive groves in Northern and Southern Albania. The regions of Puka, Shkodra and Dibra in Northern Albania where the forests are 1600 meters above sea level and not accessible by vehicles are the most problematic areas. Several acres of olive groves in Vlora's surrounding villages in Southern Albania, where World Vision operates an ADP, are affected by the fires as well.
The Albania government and the national emergency response team are working hard to manage the situation and prevent the fire from spreading further; however, the high temperatures and winds are proving to be a hard enemy to conquer.
'It was unexpected, we were unable to save any of our belongings, and the fires destroyed everything so quickly. I thank God however, I was in time to carry my six-years old granddaughter Elena out of the flames,' said Sherif Belba
The fire started around midnight on July 27th before long the flames destroyed everything. The causes of the fire are yet unknown, however many suspect the high temperatures to be the reason. There is no report of causalities; however, women and children are traumatized. Besides household belongings the fire has destroyed all the crops the families' main sources of income and food.
'We were the first one to respond and assist the families in need with food, blankets, basic hygiene and clothing items' said Gentian Mano Librazhd ADP manager
'These families are desperate for help and World Vision will continue to support and help them restart their lives' continued Mano.
Although the fire in Qukes commune was extinguished later in the day, the same climate conditions have contributed distructive fires elsewhere in Albania. The flames devoured hundreds of acres of forests and olive groves in Northern and Southern Albania. The regions of Puka, Shkodra and Dibra in Northern Albania where the forests are 1600 meters above sea level and not accessible by vehicles are the most problematic areas. Several acres of olive groves in Vlora's surrounding villages in Southern Albania, where World Vision operates an ADP, are affected by the fires as well.
The Albania government and the national emergency response team are working hard to manage the situation and prevent the fire from spreading further; however, the high temperatures and winds are proving to be a hard enemy to conquer.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
