Albanian government expects 450m euros from donors, but the needs are much bigger

The International Donor Conference, initiated by the European Union in support of Albania after the devastating November 26 earthquake convenes in Brussels today. The Albanian government goes there with modest expectations.

Prime Minister of Albania, who participated in the Munich Security Conference used the days of the conference to attract more donors to Albania.

In conversation with Deutsche Welle Minister of Reconstruction, Arben Ahmetaj expresses gratitude for the European solidarity shown these months. Solidarity is great, but the official number in the end will eventually materialize, he says.

Minister Ahmetaj expects that “in combination with grants and loans a total of about 450 million euros will be collected” for Albania.

However, he points out, the needs are much bigger.

World Bank aid to the health sector

More needs in Albania are estimated in the housing sector, where more than 95,000 homes have been destroyed and damaged after the earthquake but there was little damage to the schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

The World Bank after the earthquake in Albania immediately provided assistance after calculating the consequences of damages and their effect on the economy.

Regional Director for the Western Balkans at the World Bank, Linda Van Gelder, told for Deutsche Welle that, “More specifically, the World Bank responded to the needs in the health sector, where the earthquake destroyed several hospitals.

The World Bank has provided and will provide technical and financial assistance, both in the short and medium term, says Van Gelder, who will also attend the Donor Conference, as a World Bank representative./abcnews.al