A deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Albania in November 2019. 51 people were killed and 2,000 were injured. Government relief efforts are focusing on population centers like Durres and Tirana; moving forward, Nehemiah Gateway will help earthquake survivors living in poverty in rural villages. Many lost their homes, but cannot leave because livestock is their greatest asset. We are helping them with humanitarian aid and home reconstruction, because winter is a terrible time to be homeless.
Damage to homes and businesses in the earthquake-effected areas of Albania is still being evaluated. Major relief efforts are focusing on population centers like Tirana and Durres. In Albania's impoverished villages, many people were already living overlooked and unseen at the margins of society. After the earthquake, many villagers were left without homes, and unable to leave because their livestock is their greatest asset. Now, it is winter, and they are living in makeshift tents.
Nehemiah Gateway is an international nonprofit that has helped tens of thousands of people in Albania for over 25 years, including hundreds of villagers living in poverty. This project expands the scope of our village outreach beyond food and medical aid to help people repair their homes, destroyed or damaged following the quake. This will provide safe, lasting shelter during the cold winter months and beyond. Working with other NGO partners, we will reach people in villages beyond our region.
Humanitarian aid is the first step toward restoring human dignity, meeting needs for food, clothing, health, and shelter. Personalized care provided by our team and partners respects the dignity of each aid recipient and recognizes their humanity. Meeting these needs helps people rebuild their lives following a trauma. Children can get back to school, greatly increasing their chances of self-sufficiency and a dignified future as adults.
