Emirates Red Crescent teams have arrived in Albania to distribute much-needed aid following a deadly earthquake in the country. The 6.4 magnitude quake struck last week, killing at least 50 people and injuring about 2,000. The prime minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said more than 1,465 buildings in the capital of Tirana were damaged. An estimated 4,000 people were also made homeless following the tremor, with around 2,500 given shelter in hotels. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has pledged Dh13 million via the ERC to help survivors. The organisation will provide food, winter clothes, blankets and health supplies to victims in the worst affected areas, in co-ordination with local authorities. The aid is expected to benefit more than half a million people and is being overseen by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, chairman of the ERC and the Ruler’s representative in Al Dhafra Region. “Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed is closely following up the relief plan developed by the ERC to ensure the aid is reaching out to the largest number of beneficiaries and meeting their immediate basic needs,” said Dr Mohammed Al Falahi, secretary-general of the charity. The earthquake, the second to hit Albania in two months, struck 10 kilometres northwest of Shijak, between the port of Durres and the capital.
