According to the Basic Rapid Assessment Report 74% of the children in the earthquake-affected areas are traumatized
Press release
According to the report (Basic Rapid Assessment) 74% of the children that live in the earthquake affected areas are traumatized
December 2019 – 85% of the families that were affected by the earthquake continue to have shelter as their main concern. This is one of the main findings of the Basic Rapid Assessment report regarding the situation after the 26th of November earthquake in Albania. The report was conducted by World Vision Albania in the most affected municipalities (Durres, Kamez, Kurbin, Lezha) in the country.
According to the report, the inhabitants from Kurbin municipality mention shelter as the most emergent need. The findings show that apart from the damaged buildings, the situation in this area gets worse also by other factors, such as prevalence of disability and poverty.
The second most important issue is that the affected population, children and adults, report high level of distress and trauma symptoms, including sleep deprivation, fear, anxiety and loss of appetite. These figures are more prevalent in the population that is living in tents (88.4%) and in the damaged houses (85.2%).
“Apart from the immediate emergency response from World Vision in the affected areas during the earthquake situation, it was a primary task to have a concrete view of the families’ basic needs. In this regard, we conducted a monitoring process that was finalized with this report. The Basic Rapid Assessment was finalized within a record time and it reflects not only the situation in the ground, but also guides us where we should focus as World Vision, and provide recommendations for our partners in the central and local government, the civil society organizations and other actors that are involved in the emergencies.
According to parents, 74% of children are scared and traumatized, so they should be the focus of every measure taken by all stakeholders in every sector. The fear the earthquake left at each of us is obvious, so it is necessary to provide the whole family proper support,” – emphasized Eljona Boçe Elmazi, National Director of World Vision Albania.
Some of the main data of this report furthermore show that population in rural remote areas have not received sufficient information or support on earthquake response. Physical illness symptoms are more prevalent in tents (59%) and damaged houses (fever, cough, flu, headache, infections, etc.) compared to those accommodated in hotels.
The findings present a snapshot of the situation in the affected areas, divided by sectors and needs prioritised by the community, with a sample of 2460 persons, including 951 children. The five main areas of the questionnaire relate to: shelter needs, health, income, education, access to information and the need for water and protection.
Immediately, during the first hours after the earthquake, World Vision Albania responded to the most urgent needs (food and clothing) of the affected population in Thumana, Durrës, Kurbin, Lezha and Kamza. World Vision, in cooperation with the central and local government opened the first two Child Friendly Spaces inside the camps in Thumana and Durres. Currently three Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) continue to offer psycho-social support through activities for children in Shëngjin, Durrës and Kamza.