×

Our award-winning reporting has moved

Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues:

climate change, the impact of technology on society, and inclusive economies.

Long road to recovery for flood-affected families in Shkodra

by World Vision - MEERO | World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe/ CA office
Thursday, 17 February 2011 10:02 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

In response to the urgent need for improved hygiene and sanitation after last December's flooding in Shkodra, northwest Albania, World Vision recently distributed hygienic kits for more than 200 affected families. World Vision is also collaborating with the Institute of Public Health, the Directory of the Water Supply and the community to work on extending water pipes from the centre network to the community affected by the flooding in the Area Development Programme (ADP). In response to the urgent need for improved hygiene and sanitation after last December's flooding in Shkodra, northwest Albania, World Vision recently distributed hygienic kits for more than 200 affected families. World Vision is also collaborating with the Institute of Public Health, the Directory of the Water Supply and the community to work on extending water pipes from the centre network to the community affected by the flooding in the Area Development Programme (ADP). While the situation in Shkodra appears to have stabilized at first sight, the dire needs of families as a result of the flooding are still prevalent and require urgent attention. Lack of drinking water and hygiene problems in their houses are the most pressing issues for families in the area. People used to use water from wells but during the flooding the water was contaminated and is no longer safe to drink. 'The biggest challenge for our neighbourhood now is the lack of drinking water,' said Frank, aged 34. 'In our neighbourhood there is no drinking water and I have to walk about 30 minutes to the town to get water for my family,' added Gëzim from Livadhe neighbourhood. The extension of water pipes will not only bring clean drinking water to the community, but will mean residents have access to clean drinking water in case of future flooding. 'The initiative of extending water pipes was discussed with the community and they raised it as the most important issue affecting them,' said Orald Shema, World Vision's Safer Living Environment Coordinator. 'The extension of the water pipes is very helpful for us, because water is very important and we can't do anything without it,' said Gëzim. World Vision and the Institute of Public Health conducted an awareness-raising information session on post-flooding hygienic issues such as water contamination and keeping good hygiene in the home. The session stressed the importance of boiling water before using it to prevent diseases from water contamination such as cholera and dysentery. 'This session was very informative because hygiene is very important and vital to a family and to our children,' said 32-year-old Lindita, mother of two children. In addition to addressing good daily hygiene practices, the session also touched on the importance of cleaning and disinfecting the house after flooding. After the awareness-raising sessions, World Vision distributed hygienic kits, including detergent and disinfectant to more than 200 families in Shkodra Area Development Programme (ADP). 'These kits are very useful to us because they help us to clean the house,' said 41-year-old Gezim. As a further step, World Vision and the Education Directorate are planning to organise educational activities for around 900 children affected by the flood. As part of these activities staff will distribute educational kits containing books and other learning materials for these children. 'It is very important to help children and their families cope with the post-emergency situation through educational activities and educational materials such as books, and other learning materials,' said Valmira Cook, Shkodra ADP Coordinator. According to official data, 12,000 Shkodra residents were evacuated and more than 14,000 hectares of agricultural land was flooded. More than 3,000 houses were flooded and another 5,000 were isolated by the floodwaters. For more than one month 'normal' life for Shkodra area residents either stopped or was severely interrupted. Almost all residents have since returned to their homes and are trying to rebuild their lives, by disinfecting and painting their homes affected by the flood. Currently, a Government commission is conducting evaluations on the post-flooding damage to homes in order to reimburse families. 'I can't wait to go back home because I feel better there with my family,' says Françeska, age 11, who is living at her grandmother's house with her family and is waiting to return to her home, which is not yet habitable. -Ends-
-->