MARJO BRAKAJ
The reconstruction of individual homes, following the earthquake on November 26th, 2019, was supposed to end within November 2020, according to the mayor of Tirana Municipality, Erion Veliaj. Based on a Faktoje verification of official data published by the municipality, only 52 individual homes have been reconstructed out of 870 homes, which were initially planned. On the other hand, 1,600 families are still waiting for the prolonged process of apartment buildings reconstruction, which has only started in one quarter of Tirana.
On July 26th, 2020, the mayor of Tirana Municipality, Erion Veliaj, stated that the reconstruction process of earthquake-affected individual homes, especially in rural areas, was going fast and would be concluded within November.
“I am very enthusiastic about starting three new reconstruction sites, which will be done in every quarter. We will be opening 3 – 4 reconstruction sites depending on the number of affected homes. We will be observing the process closely, every day, until the last home is reconstructed. The Prime Minister ordered that within one year from the earthquake, all individual homes must be reconstructed. We will reconstruct 870 homes across Tirana, and in autumn we will start with apartment buildings, which will take a little longer given the required arrangements, analyses and research.” – Veliaj stated while inspecting the foundation laying for three new homes in Farkë e Vogël area.
Mayor of Tirana Municipality, Erion Veliaj, in Farkë e Vogël area on 26.07.2020 / Source: Tirana.al
How is the reconstruction of individual homes in Tirana going?
On November 4th, 2020, Faktoje submitted a request for information to Tirana Municipality regarding the reconstruction process, as a result of the earthquake on November 26th, 2019.
Request for information to Tirana Municipality
Despite the provision of Law “On the Right to Information” setting forth that responses to requests for information shall be provided within 10 working days, Tirana Municipality reported the required information only upon the complaint of the Commissioner for the Right to Information.
On their response on December 7th, 2020, Tirana Municipality reported that 52 individual homes have been reconstructed and 502 homes are in the process of reconstruction. The remainder is still being processed from a documentation perspective.
Screenshot of Tirana Municipality response on 07.12.2020
Collective dwellings reconstruction has come to a standstill!
Collective dwellings reconstruction is going on the same slow place. This particularly applies to apartment buildings in Tirana urban areas. Data reported by Tirana Municipality show that over 90 apartment buildings are supposed to be reconstructed in Tirana urban areas, as a result of the damage they suffered from the November 26th earthquake.
It has been over a year since the earthquake on November 26th, 2019, and 1600 homeless families are still waiting for their promised apartments.
Tirana Municipality response regarding the collective dwellings reconstruction
In addition to irreparable damage, over 7,100 families have been damaged at the DS1, DS2 and DS3 level, qualifying them as beneficiaries of reconstruction funds.
Tirana Municipality response regarding earthquake compensation
The statement of Tirana Municipality mayor that the reconstruction of individual homes would be finalized by November 2020 shall be rated as a “Unkept Promise”.
