Albanian families are picking up the pieces of their shattered lives after the explosion of the military depot in Gërdec village, 12 km from the capital city Tirana, that left thousands of people homeless, traumatized and hurt on 15 March.

More than 600 families, with numbers increasing daily, are taking temporary shelter provided by the Albanian government at Durrës military resort and at nearby private hotels. Thousands of others who lost their homes are taking shelter with their relatives.

'There is a real and immediate need to work with children, as many of them are traumatised. We need to do our best to help them and their parents transition back to their normal lives,' said Muzli Shala, director of Durrës military resort.


World Vision responded within 24-hours of the tragedy providing clothing for the internally displaced people. Three days after the disaster World Vision opened Child Friendly Spaces to help children regain a sense of normalcy and deal with posttraumatic stress. More than 90 children 12 years old and younger who are staying at the shelter now have a safe place where they can play and receive the care they need.

'As soon as the announcement was made that the child friendly spaces were ready to start the activities, more than 40 kids flooded the door at once. It is a joy to see light in their eyes again,' said Gentian Leka, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs (HEA) manager, World Vision Albania.


According to Albanian media and government officials, more than 100 people, mostly women and children in their early teens, were working on dismantling munitions when the explosion occurred. The firm in charge of dismantling the munitions hired teams of four people, according to villagers who lived nearby. Many of those who worked in the depot teams were members of one family. Obligated by poverty, many parents brought their children along to work with them.

Albanian national news sources stated that the depot held some 3,000 tons of munitions and there is a total of 100,000 tons of ammunitions spread in tunnels throughout Albania. The president of Albania said that the strength of the explosion was that of a nuclear bomb without radiation.

World Vision is collaborating with the Albania General Directorate for Civil Emergencies, Red Cross, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Emergency Committee to assist afflicted Albanians. However, the area continues to be under the surveillance of the military and search and rescue teams; no civilian or NGO worker is allowed in at the moment.

'Unfortunately, bad weather last week has made the situation more complicated and demanding,' Leka added.