Gov’t starts financial aid and compensation for affected residents and farmers
TIRANA, Feb. 26 – Authorities said that the floods in southwestern Albania earlier this month have caused at least €8-10 million damage, primarily in the agricultural sector.
Shemsi Prenci of the state emergency response unit said that figure covers only the damage in the livestock and agriculture, not including the destruction of the house furniture, which he said will be much less in terms of monetary value.
Floods in early February covered some 17,000 hectares mainly in Vlore, Fier and Berat (also covering other districts nearby) with about 1,000 homes damaged, many of which were evacuated.
Some 42,000 residents in the area were affected. Floods also killed more than 2,000 sheep and tens of cows, which are now being replaced by the government to the farmers.
The government pledged to keep records and compensate all the damages. It has also said it will compensate other farmers suffering from floods in the northwest a few years ago.
