Assessing the Post-Earthquake Situation of Families with Children Residing in Temporary Shelters in Albania DISCLAIMER
The findings and interpretations expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of UNICEF as an organisation. Extracts from this publication may be freely reproduced with due acknowledgement.
Requests to utilize larger portions or the full publication should be addressed to:
UNICEF Albania Country Office Skenderbej Street, UN House Bld., 3rd Floor Tirana, Albania Telephone: +355 4 45 48 400 Email: [email protected]
The recommended citation for the publication is: Pasha A, Petrak L, and Vullnetari D. 2020. Assessing the Post-Earthquake Situation of Families with Children residing in temporary shelters in Albania. UNICEF in Albania & IDRA Research and Consulting. Tirana
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors: Auron Pasha, Laura Petrak, Donald Vullnetari Questionnaire Design: Juna Miluka Study management (UNICEF Albania): Elda Hallkaj Data Processing: Blerina Metanj, Donald Vullnetari Editor: Iain F. Wilson Graphic Design: Grid Cartels
The report is a technical joint product of UNICEF Albania and IDRA Research and Consulting. This publication falls under the framework of the United Nations Joint Programme ‘Leave no one behind’, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the families affected by the earthquake, who willingly provided their opinions for this study despite the challenging situation. Special thanks also to the Inter-Ministerial Civil Emergencies Committee for sharing valuable information, which enabled the identification of affected families. We are grateful to the fieldwork data collectors who tirelessly and with great dedication conducted the interviews. Assessing the Post-Earthquake Situation of Families with Children Residing in Temporary Shelters in Albania
REPORT, WITH KEY FINDINGS
January 2020 Contents
1. Executive summary...... 8
2. Introduction...... 10
2.1. Aim and Objectives...... 11
3. Methodology...... 13
3.1. Ethical Considerations...... 15
3.2. Limitations...... 16
4. Findings...... 17
4.1. Family Profiles...... 17
4.2. Housing...... 21
4.3. Food Security and Coping Strategies...... 29
4.4. Employment and Livelihood...... 32
4.5. Health and Care...... 36
4.6. Education...... 40
4.7. Humanitarian Needs...... 43
4.8. Safety and Protection...... 45
4.9. Priority Needs for Recovery...... 48
5. Annexes...... 51
I. Additional Data...... 51
4 List of Figures
Figure 1. Sampling distribution...... 14
Figure 2. Current family location, by county...... 16
Figure 3. Urbanity of current residence...... 16
Figure 4. Ethnicity of families...... 17
Figure 5. Age of children, by county...... 18
Figure 6. Children registered in learning and education institutions, by county...... 18
Figure 7. Type of dwelling inhabited prior to earthquake, by county...... 19
Figure 8. Home ownership, by county...... 19
Figure 9. Insurance of owned dwellings, by county...... 20
Figure 10. Paying rent for dwelling post-earthquake, by county...... 20
Figure 11. Extent of damage to the dwellings , by county...... 20
Figure 12. Accuracy of assessment of damaged dwelling by the authorities, by county...... 21
Figure 13. Damage to household assets and goods, by county...... 22
Figure 14. Change of permanent residence, by county...... 23
Figure 15. Type of current shelter, by municipality...... 24
Figure 16. Type of settlement...... 24
Figure 17. Numbers of children living in various types of shelter...... 25
Figure 18. Food sufficiency in the previous seven days, by county...... 26
Figure 19. Food sufficiency, by number of children in the household...... 27
Figure 20. Food provision, by county (multiple)...... 27
Figure 21. Source of food provision...... 28
Figure 22. Average monthly household income, by county...... 29
Figure 23. Main sources of household income, by county...... 31
Figure 24. Employment of total adult population...... 31
Figure 25. Employment impacted by earthquake...... 32
5 Figure 26. Regular types of support...... 31
Figure 27. Health status of children as reported by their parents...... 31
Figure 28. Following children’s vaccination schedule prior to the earthquake...... 34
Figure 29. Issues affecting correct following of vaccination schedule in the last month, by county...... 34
Figure 30. When your child needed medical treatment or health care in the last month, were they
able to get it?...... 35
Figure 31. When your child needed medicine in the last month, were they able to get it?*...... 35
Figure 32. Families with pregnant women...... 35
Figure 33. Distribution of children not attending school, kindergarten or nursery due to the earthquake...... 36
Figure 34. Level of education of children not attending school, kindergarten or nursery due to
the earthquake...... 36
Figure 35. Location of care or educational institutions...... 37
Figure 36. Priority means for children to continue education...... 38
Figure 37. Preferred form of receipt of assistance for various needs...... 39
Figure 38. Do you think humanitarian cash transfer could increase tension in the community?...... 40
Figure 39. Do you think humanitarian cash transfer could increase tension within the recipient family?...... 40
Figure 40. Possession of a bank account, by county...... 40
Figure 41. Family members lost, and orphans...... 41
Figure 42. Coping strategies impacting the safety and protection of children, by county...... 41
Figure 43. Security provision on site, by county...... 42
Figure 44. Security provision on site, by type of shelter...... 42
Figure 45. Exposure to violence or conflict in the current shelter during the last month, by county...... 43
Figure 46. Feeling safe from violence or conflict, by county...... 43
Figure 47. Priority needs for recovery, overall...... 44
Figure 48. Priority needs for recovery, by county...... 45
Figure A1. Gender of respondents...... 46
Figure A2. Age of respondents...... 46
6 Figure A3. Education of respondents...... 46
Figure A4. Food provision, by number of children in family (multiple)...... 48
Figure A5. Reasons for child not returning to care or educational institution...... 49
List of Tables
Table 1. Distribution of affected population, by county and municipality...... 13
Table 2. Family data, by county...... 16
Table 3. Family data, by county and municipality...... 17
Table 4. Current shelter of children, by county...... 25
Table 5. Coping mechanisms (%)...... 28
Table 6. Living standard (%)...... 30
Table 7. Months pregnant, by no. of women...... 35
Table 8. Children not attending care institution or school due to the earthquake, by county...... 36
Table A5. Number of children living in families with main income of economic aid, social assistance or
disability allowances, by county and municipality...... 47
Table A6. Access of families to technology prior- and post-earthquake, by county...... 47
Table A7. Children with disability or chronic illness, by county and municipality...... 48
Acronyms
ALL Albanian Lek (Currency) DCM Decision of the Council of Ministers GoA Government of Albania HID Human Impact of Disasters HML Health Media Lab IMCEC Inter-Ministerial Civil Emergencies Committee PDNA Post-Disaster Needs Assessments UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
7 Executive Summary Executive summary
An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck Albania on 26 November 2019, to be followed by numerous smaller tremors over the following week. This is one of the largest earthquakes to have affected the country. The epicentre of the earthquake was located slightly north- east of Durrës, though the effects caused damage in other areas as well. The counties most affected are those of Durrës, Lezhë and Tiranë, though Dibër, Elbasan, Kukës and Shkoder also suffered moderate damage. The psychological and social condition of those affected by the earthquake has been serious, especially in families with young children. While a number of relief efforts were quickly put in place by the Government of Albania, along with other supporting organisations, identifying the specific needs of the most vulnerable groups remains of utmost importance.
UNICEF in Albania commissioned this present study to assess the post-earthquake situation of families and children in affected areas. It explores in-depth the types of, extent to, and specific characteristics of how families with children residing in temporary shelters have been affected by the earthquake of 26 November 2019, and their needs for recovery. The findings aim to inform the National Response, including UNICEF’s plans and programmes in support of the affected population. The purpose is for the findings to be used to influence discussions around international development assistance, including leveraging of targeted and additional assistance from the donor community.
The methodology of this study is based upon the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment approach and the more specific Human Impact of Disasters approach. It enables a framework focusing on rapid data collection, analysis and recovery planning, following a people- centred recovery approach. The data used in this study were collected through a structured questionnaire by adult representatives of 955 affected families comprising 4,670 family
8 Executive Summary members, 1,782 of whom are children. The study was assessed through a research ethics review by the Health Media Lab Institutional Review Board and was officially approved prior to the data collection fieldwork. The interviews took place between 27 December 2019 and 9 January 2020. The current locations of the affected families were identified with the help of the Inter-Ministerial Civil Emergencies Committee (IMCEC), which provided a list of data including on the population of all individuals and their respective locations.
The results of this study reveal a number of concerning findings. More than40 percent of all children are currently residing in tents as a temporary shelter. Of those, 351 children are living in informal tent shelters. Formal, but especially informal, tent shelters are considered very problematic given the large number of (young) children residing in them for an extended period. Moreover, two-thirds of the families participating in the study currently reside in temporary shelters in rural areas. The majority of children in these families are younger than 15 years, with nearly one-third (30%) younger than five years.
Nearly half of all the families (45%) reported having reduced quantities of food consumed by adults and young children. Some twelve percent of all children had not had sufficient food in the seven days previous to the time of interview. Data show that a large number of families were not provided with food and had to acquire it themselves, by spending savings (76%), borrowing money (33%) or purchasing food on credit (28%).
More than three-quarters (77%) of children are part of families whose dwellings were made uninhabitable from their complete destruction or severe damage from the earthquake. More than half of children are members of families that also suffered from destruction of most of their household goods and assets. 91% of the families owned their dwelling, while 94% of them do not have insurance.
66% of the adult population affected by the earthquake are not part of the employment market, with more than half of families (54%) living on up to only 30,000 ALL (Euro 245; USD 269) per month, impacting 54 percent of the children. When assessing the general living standard of the families, 80% of children are part of families who reported they either have insufficient money to live on, or just enough to cover food expenses. Despite the fact that most affected families have a weak economic profile, three-quarters of respondents declared that their household does not receive any form of regular support. Affected families with children and on very low incomes must be considered for special support efforts to ensure that the basic food, health and education needs of all children are met.
Most (93%) of the affected children are reported as healthy, and their vaccination schedules have been largely unaffected by the situation following the earthquake. Few children
9 Executive Summary
with disability, chronic illness or a sickness in the previous month had been unable to receive medical treatment or care (30) or medicine (38). In such cases, the reason was related to non-affordability of treatment or medicine, due to families’ low financial income. A considerable number of families also engaged with other coping strategies that have affected children, including reducing their expenses on health treatment and education of children (30% of families).
A total of 110 children (6%) are currently not attending nursery, kindergarten or school due to the earthquake. Of those, 53 percent are of school age. The priority needs identified for children to continue attending care or educational institutions are improved household income (63%), coverage of transportation costs (25%), and psycho-social support (20%).
Families residing in tents (41%) and their own damaged houses (13%) emerge as especially vulnerable particularly given safety and protection concerns. 58 percent of those living in tents and 67 percent of those residing in their own damaged house feel that security is not provided. Some 17 percent of families do not feel safe from violence or conflict.
The three main priority needs for recovery from the earthquake reported by the families are housing (94%), direct cash support (61%), and food and water (44%). Results relating to preferred forms of receiving assistance clearly show that the majority favours cash over vouchers or in-kind support. 73% of families would prefer cash transfers for food needs; 75% for non-food needs; 58% for shelter needs and 82% for children’s education needs.
10 11 Introduction
An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck Albania on 26 November 2019, one of the largest to have impacted the country. Numerous smaller tremors were felt over the next seven days. The epicentres were located slightly north-east of Durrës, though the effects were much more widespread, causing damage in other areas as well. The locations most affected have been in the counties of Durrës, Lezhë and Tiranë, while those that suffered moderate damage include Diber, Elbasan, Kukes and Shkoder.
The Government of Albania (GoA), through Decision of the Council of Ministers (DCM) No. 750/2019, declared on 27 November 2019 a state of emergency for at least 30 days in the counties of Durrës and Tirana, and in the other areas most affected.1 As a result, an Inter-Ministerial Civil Emergencies Committee (IMCEC) was established, to lead and coordinate all the work and interventions in the counties affected. Alongside the national efforts, search and rescue (SAR) operations specialists from allied partner countries arrived to provide assistance.2
The process of identifying the damage on the ground has yet to be completed. Meanwhile, the Civil Emergency Squad verifications had, by 11 December, declared 13,294 citizens affected, with 4,149 accommodated in hotels, 7,383 in tents, 395 in social centres and 254 in gyms. More than 1,000 other people had found refuge in cities across the country and in Kosovo. Among these are at least 2,000 children.3
1. Prime Minister’s Office. https://kryeministria.al/en/newsroom/mbledhja-e-jashtezakonshme-e-keshillit-te- ministrave-per-situaten-e-emergjences-se-fatkeqesise-natyrore-2/ 2. Ministry of Defence. http://www.mod.gov.al/eng/index.php/newsroom/1130-earthquake-sar-operations- specialists-from-allied-and-partner-countries-provide-assistance 3. Press Release by Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs on the scale of damage caused by the earthquake, 3 December 2019. https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/bilanci-i-termetit-voda-1183-shtepi-te-shembura-e-5497-te-demtuara/
12 Introduction
Initial findings of the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) estimated that 47 public crèches, 603 pre-schools, 497 compulsory, 153 secondary and 11 VET schools, and 30 universities had been affected. Some 36 health facilities were damaged, including eight tertiary hospitals, five regional and municipal hospitals, eleven health centres and eleven health posts or clinics. The total cost of the damage and losses is estimated at hundreds of millions of Euro.4
The psychological and social condition of those affected by the earthquake is serious, especially in families with young children. While a number of relief efforts were quickly put into place by GoA, as well as other supporting entities, identifying the specific needs of the most vulnerable groups remains of utmost importance. In the earthquake response situation report published on 24 December 2019, World Vision highlights some major initial findings, pointing out that children are identified from 51 percent of the affected families as the most vulnerable group, with 74 percent of those feeling scared and traumatised, as reported by parents.”5
UNICEF supported the government in addressing the emergency response following the earthquake. Some 1,400 children and their caregivers benefited from UNICEF emergency response interventions, mainly through six Child-Friendly Spaces and four Temporary Learning Spaces. UNICEF is co-chairing the Working Groups for Education, Child Protection and Humanitarian Cash Transfers. The agency has also invested in building the capacity of national and local actors involved in the child protection response, disaster risk reduction and shock-responsive social protection, improving their knowledge and skills in implementing and monitoring humanitarian standards.
Grounded on its mandate and triggered by the necessity to respond adequately to the needs of the affected population, UNICEF in Albania commissioned the present study to assess the post-earthquake situation of families and children in the affected areas.
2.1 Aim and Objectives
The present study explores in-depth the types, extent and specific characteristics of how families with children have been affected by the earthquake of 26 November 2019, and their needs for recovery.
4. Council of Ministers, United Nations, World Bank, European Union, 2020. Preliminary findings: Albania - Post-earthquake Needs Assessment. Tirana, Albania. 5. World Vision Albania, 2019. Situation Report November 26 – December 24, 2019, Earthquake Response.
13 Introduction
The findings aim to inform the national response, including UNICEF’s plans and programmes in support of the affected population. The subsequent aim is for the findings to be used to influence discussions around international development assistance, including leveraging of targeted or additional assistance from the donor community.
The study furthermore intends to create and set a baseline for monitoring the interventions in support of the affected population. Short-, medium- and long-term needs can be identified and the institutional responses and subsequent effectiveness, or lack thereof, can be measured and needs periodically re-assessed.
More specifically, the study has the objective of assessing families with children with regard to the following needs:
- Housing and sheltering needs through assessing the severity of the damage of the dwellings inhabited by the respondents prior to the earthquake and to then subsequently identify the extent of reconstruction and help needed to acquire relevant necessities. - Food and nutritional needs, as well as coping mechanisms through assessing whether the family has sufficient sources to cover the needs of all members of the family, especially children, and to assess which coping mechanisms are most commonly used. - Employment and livelihood needs through acquiring information on whether the employment of family members has been impacted by the earthquake, and if so, whether families receive support. - Health needs with a specific focus on children’s health needs, such as differences in medical access prior to and following the earthquake, in terms of vaccination, medicines and other medical needs of children. - Educational needs through assessing whether children have access to relevant and appropriate education in comparison to prior to the earthquake and to what extent changes have occurred. It is also important to identify whether any support for children’s education has been given and in which areas parents see the highest priorities for their children’s education in the context of the post- disaster situation. - Humanitarian needs in order to identify in which areas families see the highest priority in order to recover from the disaster, as well as the most valued types of humanitarian support. The general security of the family and especially children in their current respective shelters is also subject to this study. - Safety and protection needs to assess the impact of the earthquake on the safety and protection of families and the general security of the families, especially the children, in their current shelters.
14 Introduction
15 Methodology
Methodological Approach This quantitative study combines in its methodology the approaches of Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) and the more specific Human Impact of Disasters (HID). PDNA provides a methodical framework to blend rapid data collection, analysis and recovery planning across several sectors: production, infrastructure, social dimensions, human development, finance, macro-economic situation, and other development concerns.6 Meanwhile, HID is a people-centred, human-recovery approach, with a framework that includes assessing the “secure livelihoods health services, shelter, land, security, freedom, community life and other quality-of-life services essential for human recovery and development”.7
The target population of the study is identified as all families with children (under 18 years of age) residing in temporary shelters. The initial list of families and shelters was provided by IMCEC. Based on this methodology, N=1,464 affected families with an affected population size of 6,163 living in temporary shelters during the data collection period were screened through a census. The refusal rate was near 0%. Of this total, 955 were identified with children (matching the criteria to be part of the study). These 955 families included 4,670 individuals of whom 1,782 are children. Further details on respondent selection and the fieldwork are reported below.
Questionnaire Development and Pretesting The main data collection instrument of this assessment was a questionnaire designed specifically for the affected population and comprising several thematic sections relevant to the aim and objectives of the study. Prior to finalisation of the questionnaire, desk research was conducted in order to develop an informed and accurate data collection tool relevant to the topics, as well as the local context.
6. UNDP, 2013. Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Guidelines, Volume A. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/ en/home/librarypage/crisis-prevention-and-recovery/pdna.html 7. UNDP, 2019. Guidelines for Assessing the Human Impact of Disasters. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/ home/librarypage/crisis-prevention-and-recovery/guidelines-for-assessing-the-human-impact-of-disasters.html
16 Methodology
The questionnaire was developed in close cooperation with UNICEF, and all feedback provided was taken into consideration and reflected in the final version. The questionnaire was administered via Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), having been pretested for appropriateness and logic flow prior to the start of the fieldwork.
Respondent Selection and Fieldwork The fieldwork for the study was undertaken between 27 December 2019 and 9 January 2020. IMCEC provided official data that included the population of all individuals, and their respective locations, who were forced to evacuate their residence and now live elsewhere in a temporary shelter. The fieldwork team travelled to these locations to conduct the interviews. Once interviews were concluded with all individuals present, a ‘snowball’ approach was used to conduct further interviews (i.e. individuals already interviewed were asked whether they knew of other families with children currently in the same situation and who could be interviewed). The study was conducted with affected families with children, staying in the temporary emergency shelters: hotels, tents and social centres or similar. Only families with children were selected and the interviews were conducted with one of the parents, in their presence. When both parents were present, agreement on which would respond to the questions was left to the parents. The approach applied to the study was that the children of a family were not present during the interviews.
Population Profile The outcome of this census-based approach resulted in the following population profile and distribution. Most of the affected respondents who took part in this study are female (65%), between the ages of 25 and 54 years (74%) and have obtained primary education (60%). Table 1 reports the distribution of the population by county and municipality, illustrated also in Figure 1.
17 Methodology
Table 1. Distribution of affected population, by county and municipality
Number of County Municipality Total population Number of children families Durrës 264 1235 478 Krujë 142 716 260 Durrës Shijak 64 316 122 Total 470 2,267 860 Lezhë 75 358 144 Kurbin 74 348 144 Lezhë Mirditë 1 3 1 Total 150 709 289 Tiranë 233 1195 445 Kavajë 46 214 89 Tiranë Rrogozhinë 10 46 19 Vorë 46 239 80 Total 335 1,694 633 TOTAL 955 4,670 1,782
Figure 1. Sampling distribution
18 Methodology
3.1 Ethical Considerations
The study was designed to be sensitive, given the mental state of the affected families and the prolonged, difficult and uncertain situation in which they find themselves, especially with the occurrence of aftershocks following the main earthquake. Hence, every process conducted within the framework of the research followed the principles and procedures defined in UNICEF’s Procedures for ethical standards in research, evaluation, data collection and analysis. The ethics of the study were assessed by Health Media Lab (HML) Inc., UNICEF’s recognised Institutional External Review Board, during the period 24–28 December 2019, and received approval.
The research was undertaken by IDRA, the first company in Albania and Kosovo to be certified with ISO 20252:2012 and ISO 9001:2008, the standard for Market, Opinions and Social Research and Quality management system. IDRA is a member of ESOMAR, the world’s largest association of research professionals, ensuring a commitment towards the values and integrity of research.
Throughout the course of this study, a number of key principles were set as guidelines, including the importance of informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, the safeguarding of research participants and the protection of collected data.
3.2 Limitations
As with the majority of research studies, the design is subject to some limitations, the first of which concerns the time that was available. Affected families and children currently residing in shelters require immediate support, and hence the assessment had to be conducted within a short period to enable the study’s findings to be used effectively. This restriction influenced the decision to develop a relatively brief questionnaire, rather than a detailed one that would have allowed more in- depth exploration. In addition, due to the urgency, the data from the questionnaire were not accompanied with qualitative data as originally planned with the idea to complement the data and benefit from additional insights on the issues.
The second limitation concerned the accuracy of the information received on the location of shelters, which slowed the fieldwork in some places. While general location information on the families affected was shared by the Emergency Committee, enumerators, especially in rural areas, had difficulties in finding some of the shelters due to a lack of detailed coordinates or necessary additional information.
19 Findings
20 Findings
This chapter examines and analyses the findings of the study, structured into nine thematic sections.
21 Findings
4.1 Family Profiles
Overall, 995 affected families with children took part in the study (Table 2), comprising 4,670 individuals of whom 1,782 are children. The average number of family members was 4.9, while the average number of children was 1.9. Half of the study respondents reside in Durrës (49%; 470 families), while around one third reside in Lezhë (35%; 150 families), and 16 percent in Tirana (335 families). The largest number of children are in Durrës (860), with 633 residing in Tirana and 289 in Lezhë. More than two-thirds of the affected families live in rural areas (72%; Figure 3), with the largest number in Tirana (91%). Most commonly, families have either one child (40%) or two children (39%). Only 17 percent and four percent, respectively, have three or more than three children.
Table 2. Family data, by county
Average number Number of Total Number of Average number County of children living families population children of family members in family Durrës 470 2,267 860 4.8 1.9 Lezhë 150 709 289 4.7 2.0 Tirana 335 1,694 633 5.1 1.9 Total 955 4,670 1,782 4.9 1.9
Analysing the family data by county and municipality provides a more detailed picture of the distribution (Table 3). In Durrës County the largest number of children are in Durrës Municipality (478), in Lezhë there are equal numbers of children in Lezhë and Kurbin municipalities (144), and in Tirana County, Tirana Municipality has the largest number (445).
Figure 2. Current family location, Figure 3. Urbanity of current residence by county
Durrës Urban Rural
Lezhë Total (N=955) 28% 72% Tiranë 16% 35% Tiranë (N=335) 9% 91%
Lezhë (N=150) 35% 65%
49% Durrës (N=470) 39% 61%
22 Findings
Table 3. Family data, by county and municipality
Average Average Number of Total Number of number number of County Municipality families population children of family children living members in family Durrës 264 1,235 478 4.7 1.8 Krujë 142 716 260 5.0 2.0 Durrës Shijak 64 316 122 5.0 1.9 Total 470 2,267 860 4.8 1.9 Lezhë 75 358 144 4.8 1.9 Kurbin 74 348 144 4.7 2.0 Lezhë Mirditë 1 3 1 3.0 1.0 Total 150 709 289 4.7 2.0 Tiranë 233 1,195 445 5.1 2.0 Kavajë 46 214 89 4.7 1.9 Tirana Rrogozhinë 10 46 19 4.6 2.0 Vorë 46 239 80 5.2 1.8 Total 335 1,694 633 5.1 1.9
With regard to ethnicity (Figure 4), nearly all affected families are Albanian (96%), with two percent each from the Egyptian and Roma communities (40 families). Looking at regional differences, the largest number other ethnicities families are found in Lezhë (6% combined Roma and Egyptians ).
Figure 4. Ethnicity of families
Albanian Roma Egyptian
Durrës (N=470) 96% 2% 2%
Lezhë (N=150) 94% 3% 3%
Tiranë (N=335) 97% 2% 1%
Total (N=955) 96% 2% 2%
Of the 1,782 affected children, the majority (52%) are of age 6–14 years (Figure 5), nearly one in three are between the age of 0 and 5 years (26%, 1–5 years old; 4%, < 1 year old, infant). Half of the children are registered at primary school (Figure 6), while 21 percent
23 Findings
stay at home. Few are registered in a kindergarten (9%) or nursery (4%). Of all the children, 434 are infants (< 1 year) or very young (1–5 years), with most residing in families in Durrës or Tirana.
Figure 5. Age of children, by county Figure 6. Children registered in learning and education institutions, by county
Secondary school Primary school Kindergarten Nursery Infant 1-5y.o. 6-14y.o. 15-17y.o. At home
17% 21% 20% 18% 15% 18% 18% 16%
52% 52% 52% 52% 50% 50% 50% 50%
10% 9% 8% 9% 4% 4% 4% 3% 28% 25% 24% 26% 21% 19% 22% 21%
4% 2% 4% 4% Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=860) (N=289) (N=633) (N=1782) (N=860) (N=289) (N=633) (N=1782)
4.2 Housing
This section concerns issues that include, but are not limited to, the severity of the damage to the dwellings inhabited by the study respondents prior to the earthquake, and identification of the extent of reconstruction and help needed to acquire relevant necessities.
Around two in three families (65%) lived in a private house prior to the earthquake (Figure 7), and the data show that the majority own those houses. Most of the families who lived in a private house are from Tirana, with a high level of ownership of the dwellings (79% private houses; 95% ownership). The majority of families in Lezhë lived in apartments (55%), with the percentage of home ownership (85%) the lowest among the affected counties. In Durrës County, more than one-third of families lived in
24 Findings
Figure 7. Type of dwelling inhabited Figure 8. Home ownership, by county prior to earthquake, by county
Live in relative’s house Private house Apartment Own Rent
1% 1% 1% 9% 15% 5% 9%
61% 45% 79% 65%
91% 85% 95% 91%
38% 55% 21% 34%
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=470) (N=150) (N=335) (N=955) (N=470) (N=150) (N=335) (N=955)
an apartment (39%), while 61 percent resided in a private house, while the level of home ownership was 91 percent (Figure 8). Very few families (1%) lived with other relatives prior to the earthquake. The vast majority (94%) of the study respondents who own the dwellings they inhabited prior to the earthquake do not have insurance (Figure 9).
Families who had rented their dwelling were asked whether they still had to pay rent. Overall, around two in five families (42%) are still paying rent following the earthquake (Figure 10). The largest number of families still paying rent are in Tirana and Durrës counties (50% and 49%, respectively), with only 23 percent of those in Lezhë confronted with this situation. The next set of questions concerns the severity of damage to the respondents’ dwellings. Data reveal that more than three out of four dwellings are uninhabitable (77%), with one-third (33%) completely destroyed (Figure 11). The proportion of dwellings that have been completely destroyed are distributed fairly evenly among the three counties: Tirana (36%), Durrës Lezhë(33%) and Lezhë (35%). Nearly half of the dwellings (43%) sustained severe damage and are uninhabitable.
25 Findings
Figure 9. Insurance of owned dwellings, Figure 10. Paying rent for dwelling by county post-earthquake, by county
Yes No Yes No
Total 6% 94% Total 42% 58%
Tiranë 7% 93% Tiranë 50% 50%
Lezhë 3% 97% Lezhë 23% 77%
Durrës 5% 95% Durrës 49% 51%
Figure 11. Extent of damage to the dwellings , by county
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Dwelling is destroyed, uninhabitable 33% 35% 36% 34%
Servere damage, uninhabitable 43% 53% 39% 43%
Damaged, habitable, but requires major reconstructions 16% 11% 18% 16%
Damaged, requires considerable reconstructions 6% 1% 6% 5%
Damaged, at some degree 1% 0% 1% 1%
Don’t know 0% 1% 0% 0%
Other 0% 0% 0% 0%
An average of 16 percent of the dwellings are habitable, but are damaged and require major reconstruction, with the highest figure (18%) in Tirana.
The great majority of families (90%) reported that their dwellings have been inspected by the authorities Most of the families (51%) feel that the assessment undertaken by the authorities was highly accurate (Figure 12). Around 15 percent thought it quite accurate, though they have not yet been informed about the basis of the respective decision. One in eight families (13%) are still waiting for an answer.
26 Findings
Figure 12. Accuracy of assessment of damaged dwelling by the authorities, by county
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Highly accurate, they looked very professional 54% 56% 45% 51%
Quite accurate, but they did not explain much on their decision 14% 16% 18% 15%
Still waiting for the nal answer 11% 17% 15% 13%
I am not sure of their accuracy, I just respect their expert opinion 13% 8% 14% 12%
Not accurate, had to re-inspect 7% 2% 9% 7% the damage to draw conclusion
Other 1% 1% 0% 1%
Study respondents were also asked about the damage to their household assets and goods (Figure 13). All assets and goods of more than half (55%) of the families were either destroyed or mostly destroyed.
Significant numbers of children are affected by uninhabitable dwellings and by destroyed household assets and goods.
Figure 13. Damage to household assets and goods, by county
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Some of the household assets and goods were destroyed 34% 28% 32% 32%
Everything was destroyed 27% 31% 27% 28%
Most of the household assets and goods were destroyed 27% 23% 30% 27%
No damage in household assets and goods 12% 18% 12% 13%
A total of 93 families (including 176 children) declared they had changed their permanent residency to another municipality or even another county (Figure 14). The largest number of such families (78) were from Durrës, most of whom (52) moved to Lezhë after the earthquake. Most of those who moved from Durrës were from the village of Thumane, and 70 percent of those are now living in hotels in Lezhë.
27 Findings
77% of children are part of a family where the dwelling is uninhabitable 77% (either completely destroyed or has severe damages)
Figure 14. Change of permanent residence, by county
Around 40 percent of all families (383) currently reside in tents (Figure 15), with around half of those (49%, 187 families) living in informal settlements (Figure 16). Tirana County has the highest accumulation of tent usage (46%, 152 families) and Lezhë the lowest (31%, 46 families). In Durrës, around 39 percent are living in tents (185 families).
Nearly one in three families have found refuge in hotels (31%), most commonly in Lezhë (61%). The largest number of families still living in their own damaged house is in Tirana (18%), with only a few doing so in Lezhë (3%) and slightly more (13%) in Durrës. Only a small number of families currently reside with distant relatives or in a rented house. Some families live in containers or warehouses (23 in Durrës, 5 in Tirana, and 1 in Lezhë), in social centres (6 in Tirana, and 3 in Durrës) or shopping centres (2 in Durrës) (all less than 10%).
28 Findings
However, of great concern is the fact that most of the children (724; 41%) are currently living in tents, while 234 (13%) are still living in their own, damaged, house (Figure 17). Some 351 children are living with their family in tents in an informal settlement, mostly in the municipalities of Durrës, Tirana and Kurbin. Meanwhile, nearly one- third of children (557; 31%) are residing in hotels. Although the numbers currently living in other types of shelter are small, it should be nonetheless noted that a total of 112 children live with distant relatives, 51 in rented houses, and, of more concern, 48 in containers, warehouses or cabins, 22 in social centres, and four in shopping centres.
Figure 15. Type of current shelter, by Figure 16. Type of settlement municipality Informal Settlement 5% 4% 1% 3% 4% 3% 4% 3% Formal Settlement 6% School gym 7% 7% Shooping center 13% Social Center 49% 13% 18% Other
31% Containers/ 19% warehouse/Cabin
Rented house 31% 61% Relatives house 51% Own damaged house
Hotel
Tent 39% 31% 45% 40%
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=470) (N=150) (N=335) (N=955)
Figure 17. Numbers of children living in various types of shelter
51 48 Rented house 112 Containers Relatives house Warehouse/Cabin 13% 234 6% Own damaged 22 house 31% Social center 3%3% 0.2% 4 2% Shopping Center 557 30 Hotel Other 41% 724 Tent
29 Findings
There are some regional differences in where the children are staying (Table 4). Those in Tirana and Durrës are significantly more likely to live in tents (46% and 40%, respectively) or in their own damaged house (17% and 14%, respectively) than are those in Lezhë (30% in tents; 2% in own damaged house). Nearly two in three children (61%) in Lezhë reside in a hotel, compared with half of that proportion in Durrës (30%) and one-third in Tirana (19%). In Durrës, 57 children (7%) currently reside with distant relatives, while only 41 (6%) do so in Tirana and fourteen (5%) in Lezhë. The largest number of the children who are vulnerable due to their current type of shelter (tent) are currently residing in Durrës (347), followed by Tirana (289).
Table 4. Current shelter of children, by county
Total Durrës Lezhë Tirana Shelter Percentage Count Percentage Count Percentage Count Percentage Count
tent 41 724 40 347 30 88 46 289
hotel 31 557 30 258 61 176 19 123 own damaged house 13 234 14 121 2 7 17 106 relatives house 6 112 7 57 5 14 6 41 rented house 3 51 3 29 0 - 3 22 containers, warehouse, cabin 3 48 4 37 1 2 1 9 social centre 1 22 1 5 0 - 3 17 shopping centre 0 4 0 - 0 - 1 4 other 2 30 1 6 1 2 3 22
4.3 Food Security and Coping Strategies
This section reports the food security and needs of the affected families and children. It also assesses the coping strategies families may resort to when certain needs are not fulfilled. The study respondents were asked whether they had had sufficient food resources in the previous seven days.8 Three in five children (57%) reported they had sufficient food available (Figure 18), with most of these children residing in Lezhë (71%) or Durrës (58%). However, only around half (51%) of the children living in families in Tirana had sufficient food resources over the previous seven days.
One in three children had food resources available to them that were reported as ‘somewhat’ sufficient (30%), while twelve percent living in families reporting that they had insufficient amounts of food available.
8. Interviews were conducted from 27 December 2019 to 9 January 2020. When asked about ‘food sufficiency in the past seven days,’ the period begins with the date of interview.
30 Findings
Figure 18. Food sufficiency in the previous seven days, by county
8% Suf cient 12% 14% 12% Somewhat suf cient
21% Insuf cient 30% 35% 30%
58% 71% 51% 57%
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=860) (N=289) (N=633) (N=1782)
Overall, the data indicate that the fewer the number of children in a family, the higher the percentage reporting that they have sufficient amounts of food (Figure 19). Families with four or more children more commonly reported ‘insufficient’ food resources (15%), than do other family sizes. Those with three children have a higher percentage reporting that the food they are having at their disposal is ‘somewhat’ sufficient (38%).
Figure 19. Food sufficiency, by number of children in the household
Yes Somewhat suf cient Insuf cient 58% Total 29% 13%
Family with 59% 4 or more children 26% 15%
Family with 52% 3 children 38% 15%
Family with 58% 3 children 29% 13%
Family with 62% 1 child 25% 13%
31 Findings
With regard to their main sources of food over the previous seven days (Figure 20), 57% of families needs were met by support in provisions. Those who had bought most food themselves reside in Tirana (67%), while, conversely, the great majority (80%) of Lezhë families had been provided with food, perhaps due to the large number of families Lezhë there residing in hotels following the disaster, while in Tirana tent usage has been the most common.
Figure 20. Food provision, by county (multiple)
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Bought 58% 32% 67% 57%
Provided 57% 80% 40% 55%
Own production 3% 1% 11% 6%
Other 1% 0% 2% 1%
Around 58% of families who obtained support in food provisions, received it from the government (Figure 21). Some 30 percent of families had been provided food by other institutions.
Figure 21. Source of food provision
Provided by government 58%
Provided by other institutions 30%
Other 10%
Provided by relatives/ friends 3%
More than half of the families in Tirana (52%) reported that the adults and young children have consumed reduced quantities of food since the earthquake. Durrës and Lezhë families reported fewer reductions in food consumption (44% and 30%, respectively). Furthermore, nearly one-third (30%) have reduced their expenses on health treatment, or education, or both, particularly in Tirana County (38%).
Overall, four in five families (79%) across the affected counties have made use of their savings to cope with the post-earthquake situation (Table 5). A considerable number have borrowed money to buy food or have purchased food on credit (38% and
32 Findings
30%, respectively). Some fourteen percent have sent a household member to eat elsewhere rather than at home, a practice that appears most common in Durrës (21%). Few families (4%) declared they have sold assets or means of production (2%) as a coping mechanism.
Table 5. Coping mechanisms (%)
Mechanism Total Durrës Lezhë Tirana
Spent savings 76 75 71 79 Reduced quantities of food consumed 45 44 30 52 by adults and young children Borrowed money to buy food 33 29 37 38 Reduced expenses on health treatment 30 26 27 38 and/or education Purchased food on credit 28 29 23 30 Borrowed money to buy other provisions 19 16 24 22 (such as clothes) Sent household members to eat elsewhere 17 21 11 14 Sold household assets (TV, radio, cellular phone, 4 4 7 4 computer, tablet, furniture, other) Sold means of production 2 1 4 2
4.4 Employment and Livelihood
This section analyses information on employment and livelihood, as well as the economic situation of the families. It explores whether the employment of family members has been impacted by the earthquake, and assesses the type of support received by the families. 54% (1,002) Data on average monthly household income highlight that the economic standing of children of many affected families is concerning. More than half (54%) of the families have a are part of a monthly income of only up to 30,000 Albanian lek (ALL) (Figure 22), while thirteen percent family with receive only up to 10,000 ALL. Those in Lezhë stand out, with 70 percent reporting a monthly monthly income of 30,000 ALL or less. Some 20 percent of families reported a monthly household income of 30,001–50,000 ALL, while fourteen percent receive 50,001–90,000 ALL. income of 30,000 ALL Study respondents were also asked about their general, permanent living standard or less regardless of the effects the earthquake has had. More than three-quarters of families either do not have enough money to live on and borrow money to buy food (39%), or have just enough money to buy food but struggle with other expenses (40%; Table 6). Eighty percent of children (1,435) live in families reporting they either do not have enough money to live on or just have enough to buy food.
33 Findings
The majority of the families who declare they do not have enough money to live on reside in Lezhë County (57%), while 43 percent of such families are in Tirana County, and less than one-third in Durrës County (30%). Those in Durrës include the highest percentage (42%) of families with enough money to buy food but who have difficulties covering other, small expenses.
Table 6. Living standard (%)
Statements about living standard Total Durrës Lezhë Tirana
We do not have enough money to live on; we borrow 39 30 57 43 money to buy food. We have just enough money to buy food. However, other 40 42 33 39 small expenses are not always easy. We have just enough money to buy food and clothes. 13 16 6 11 However, other small expenses are not always easy. We have enough money to live on. However, big expenses (such as home equipment, TV, fridge, furniture etc.) need 6 8 3 6 saving for. We can afford to buy some long-term equipment (such as fridge, TV, furniture etc.). However, we cannot immediately 2 3 1 1 make a big purchase. We can buy a car, but not an apartment immediately. 0 0 0 0
The main sources of household income for the majority of families (59%) are the wages or salaries of one or more family members (Figure 23). Two-thirds of families in Durrës County have wages or salaries as one of their main sources of income, while in Tirana and Lezhë the figures are 54 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Lezhë stands out with 39 percent of families considering economic aid, social assistance
Figure 22. Average monthly household income, by county
9% 7% 10% 9% 5% 1% 7% 3% 4%
17% 15% 11% 14%
22% 20% 20%
Less than 10.000 ALL
55% 10.001-30.000 ALL 41% 41% 37% 30.001-50.000 ALL 50.001-90.000 ALL
More than 90.000 ALL
11% 15% 13% 13% DK/NA
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=470) (N=150) (N=335) (N=955)
34 Findings or disability allowance as a major source of income. Across all the counties, one- quarter of families declare their pensions as their main household income.
Figure 23. Main sources of household income, by county
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Wage/salary income 66% 49% 54% 59%
Pension 27% 16% 25% 25%
Economic aid/Social assistance/Pension for disability 14% 39% 30% 23%
Other 9% 6% 18% 12%
Income from self-employment or business ownership 9% 7% 7% 8%
Gifts from friends 4% 1% 5% 4%
Remittances 5% 0% 2% 3%
Loans 2% 0% 4% 2%
Figure 25 shows that two-thirds of the adult population are outside the employment market (unemployed, housewife, in pension or student), with around 21 percent employed in the private sector, and only five percent in the public sector.
Figure 24. Employment of total adult population
Unemployed 36%
Employed in private sector 21%
Housewife 14%
On pension 13%
Employed in public sector 5%
Student 3%
Self-employed in other activities 3%
Self-employed in other bussiness 1%
Other 4%
It seems that the employment of two-thirds (67%) of the study respondents, or their family members, has not been impacted by the earthquake. Nevertheless, in 67 cases
35 Findings
a family member of a household has lost their job due to the earthquake. Meanwhile, around thirteen percent (124) reported a reduction in their working hours.
Figure 25. Employment impacted by earthquake
Not impacted Increased hours of working Reduced hours of working Have not yet returned to work Lost the job Other
Durrës (N=520) 36% 5% 14% 3% 9% 4%
Lezhë 21% 3% 8% 6% (N=102)
Tiranë (N=333) 64% 3% 14% 3% 5% 11%
Total (N=955) 67% 4% 13% 3% 7% 6%
Study respondents were also asked whether any member of their household receives some form of regular support. Despite the fact that most affected families have a weak economic profile, very few receive regular support (Figure 26). Three-quarters of respondents declared that their household does not receive any type of support (77%), and in Durrës this proportion reaches 85 percent. Meanwhile, around twelve percent receive social assistance, with more of such families in Tirana (20%) and Lezhë (19%) than in Durrës (5%). Only seven percent reported receiving payments for children or adults with disabilities.
Figure 26. Regular types of support
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
None of these 85% 74% 67% 77%
Social assistance for economically deprived people 5% 19% 20% 12%
Payments for children/ adults with disabilities 7% 5% 9% 7%
Subsidies from the state for utility bills 2% 4% 4% 3%
Regular other non-cash bene ts 1% 0% 4% 2%
Family/children related allowances 1% 1% 0% 1%
Regular other cash bene ts 0% 0% 1% 0%
36 Findings
4.5 Health and Care
This section assesses the respondents’ health needs with a special focus on child health. Topics covered are, inter alia, differences in medical access prior to and following the earthquake, including achieving vaccination schedules and obtaining medicines and other medical needs of children in the post-earthquake situation.
First, the general reported health status of children living in the affected families was assessed. Data reveal that the great majority (92%; no. 1,654) were reported as healthy. That said, 64 children (4%) have a chronic illness and 44 (3%) a disability. Only three of the children were injured during the earthquake.
Figure 27. Health status of children as reported by their parents 17 44 Sick in the With disability 3 last month Injured during the 1% earthquake 64 4% 3% Chronic illnes
92%
1654 Without health related issues
Study respondents were asked whether they had correctly followed their children’s vaccination schedule prior to the earthquake, and nearly all respondents (97%) confirmed that this was the case, with three percent reporting not to have done so, with 44 children affected. When the latter group were asked why they had not followed the schedule correctly, a large proportion stated that they would vaccinate later on (no. 21 childrens).
Figure 28. Following children’s vaccination schedule prior to the earthquake
Yes No Don’t know
Durrës (N=860) 96% 3% 1%
Lezhë 99% 1% (N=289)
Tiranë 97% 3% (N=633)
Total 97% 3% (N=1782)
37 Findings
Only in one case was the health centre mentioned as being too far away, while in seven cases it was stated that they do not have the means to reach the health centre, and in another seven cases it was stated that vaccination is not important at the moment.
Overall, a clear majority (90%) did not experience any issues affecting the children’s vaccinations schedule in the previous month. Thus, it would appear that the vaccination of children was not affected during the immediate post-earthquake period.
Figure 29. Issues affecting correct follow-up of vaccination schedule in the last month, by county
No, I don’t see any of these to be an issue Vaccination is not important now 88% 95% 90% 90% Do not have the means to reach the health center
Health center is overcrowded Health center is too far Health center has been damaged
7% 1% 2% 4% 2% 3% 6% 3% Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total (N=860) (N=289) (N=633) (N=1782)
About 23 percent of children (no. 30) reported as unhealthy (e.g. with a chronic illness, disability, have been sick in the past month or were injured during the earthquake) were unable to obtain medical treatment in the past month (Figure
Figure 30. When your child needed Figure 31. When your child needed medical treatment or health care in the medicine in the last month, were they last month, were they able to get it?* able to get it?*
Yes Yes No No 23% 30%
77% 70%
* Only for the children who were not declared healthy/ N=128 * Only for the children who were not declared healthy/ N=128
38 Findings
30). In most cases (no. 18: 9 in Durrës, 6 in Tirana, and 3 in Lezhë), this was due to the affordability of treatment (Lezhë). When asked about the provision of medicine or drugs, for 30 percent of the children (38 individuals) it was reported that they were unable to acquire the medicine needed (Figure 31). In most cases (no. 25: 13 in Tirana, 9 in Durrës, and 3 in Lezhë), this was due to the affordability of medicine.
Only three percent of families (no. 26) have a pregnant woman in their household (Figure 32), and only in three out of the 26 women was there an interruption in the pregnancy care over the past month. No reason was given for the interruption. Table 7 reports the number of women at different stages of pregnancy.
Figure 32. Families with pregnant women Table 7. Months pregnant, by no. of women
Months Number of 3% pregnant women 2 4 3 4 4 3 5 3 7 5 8 2 9 5 Total 26
Out of 66 infants, 19 are newborn, and only for one of these was there interruption in the regular newborn medical checks. The reason given was that there was no nearby health centre that could be accessed. In eleven cases the women were breastfeeding their newborn and the earthquake had had no impact on this practice.
4.6 Education
This section concerns the topic of education and assesses whether children currently have access to education compared to before the earthquake, and to what extent changes have occurred. It identifies whether any support for children’s education has been given and in which areas parents see the highest priorities in their children’s education in the context of the post-disaster situation.
Currently, 25 percent of children (447 individuals) are not attending nursery, kindergarten or school. Of these, 75 percent (337) were not registered even before the earthquake, hence 110 children are not attending school or care due to the earthquake. Figures 34
39 Findings
and 35 show, respectively, the distribution among the different counties of children not attending an educational and care institutions, athe proportion for each category of institutions.
Of all affected children, six percent (no. 110) are not attending nursery, kindergarten or school due to the earthquake, while 53 percent (58) should be attending primary or secondary school.
Figure 33. Distribution of children Figure 34. Level of education of children not attending school, kindergarten or not attending school, kindergarten or nursery due to the earthquake nursery due to the earthquake
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Nursery Kindergarten
Primary Secondary 61% 39%
16% 31% 33% 20%
10%
Children not attending any of these care or educational institutions9 due to the earthquake (Table 8) mostly reside in Durrës (61%) or Tiranë (39%).
Table 8. Children (no.) not attending care institution or school due to the earthquake, by county
School type Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
nursery 13 1 4 18 kindergarten 19 1 14 34 primary 16 5 15 36 secondary 13 3 6 22 Total 61 10 39 110
The majority of children (57%) currently attending a care or educational institution do so in the same location as prior to the earthquake (Figure 35). However, one-third of children had to change the location due to the earthquake, obliged to leave their familiar educational and care environment. Another nine percent currently attend school in a temporary learning space.
A large number of children in Lezhë (54%) currently have to attend school in a different location, most probably because the current shelter of many Lezhë families is now hotels in Durrës.
9. Care or educational institution refers to nursery, kindergarten and school as a single group.
40 Findings
When asked about the priorities for their children to continue attending care and educational institutions (Figure 36) two-thirds of respondents reported a need for improved household income (63%), while transportation or coverage of transportation costs were seen as
Figure 35. Location of care or educational institutions
767 children The same locations as before the earthquake currently attend care or In a different location educational institutions in In a temporary learning space the same location
Total 57% 34% 9% 447 children Tiranë 76% 19% 5% currently attend care or Lezhë 35% 54% 11% educational institutions in a different location Durrës 51% 37% 12% 121 children currently attend care or educational institutions in a temporary learning space
a priority for 25 percent, and psycho-social support by 20 percent. Feeding of children at school or kindergarten was seen as a priority by some 18 percent, and construction or rehabilitation of schools and kindergartens by 17 percent, of respondents.
Figure 36. Priority means for children to continue education
Improved household income 63%
Coverage of transportation or transportation costs 25%
Psycho-social support 20%
School/kindergarten feeding 18%
Construction or rehabilitationof 17% schools/kindergarten
Provision of teaching or learning supplies 14%
Don’t know 9%
(Multiple answers) Other 7% N =1,782
41 Findings
4.7 Humanitarian Needs
This section explores in which areas families see their highest priorities for recovering from the disaster, as well as the most valued types of humanitarian support. It also highlights the main priorities in the context of recovery needs.
Figure 39 shows the preferred forms of receipt of assistance, clearly showing that the majority favour cash over vouchers or in-kind support across the various types of assistance, but particularly for the education needs of children and multiple daily needs (83% and 86%, respectively). Around two in five respondents stated that their preferred form of assistance for shelter needs was in-kind (38%), and 15 percent each for food and non-food needs. Families residing in Tirana appear slightly more open to receiving in-kind food and non-food assistance than those in the other counties.
Figure 37. Preferred form of receipt of assistance for various needs
Yes No No
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total
Food needs 73% 13% 14% 77% 15% 7% 72% 9% 19% 73% 12% 15%
Non-food needs 75% 11% 14% 77% 17% 7% 73% 8% 19% 74% 11% 15%
Shelter needs 58% 7% 36% 44% 7% 49% 55% 9% 36% 55% 8% 38%
Children’s education needs 82% 7% 10% 83% 16% 83% 7% 10% 83% 8% 9%
Multiple daily needs 85% 7% 8% 91% 9% 86% 4% 10% 86% 6% 8%
The majority do not think that humanitarian cash transfers would increase tensions in the community (72%; Figure 40) or the recipient families (82%; Figure 41). Convergence in opinions was apparent in Lezhë with more study respondents believing it would increase tension in the community (41%) and in the families (27%), with only 27 percent in Durrës and 22 percent in Tirana sharing this opinion.
Fewer than half (40%) of respondents have a bank account. In Tirana, more than two- thirds of respondents do not have a bank account. This may be explained by the fact
42 Findings that a large proportion of affected families in Tirana County live in rural areas, with weak financial standing.
Figure 38. Do you think humanitarian Figure 39. Do you think humanitarian cash transfer could increase tension in cash transfer could increase tension the community? within the recipient family?
Yes No Yes No Durrës Durrës (N=470) 27% 73% (N=470) 19% 81%
Lezhë Lezhë (N=150) 41% 59% (N=150) 27% 73% Tiranë Tiranë (N=335) 22% 78% (N=335) 13% 87%
Total Total (N=955) 28% 72% (N=955) 18% 82%
Figure 40. Possession of a bank account, by county
Yes No Durrës (N=470) 47% 53%
Lezhë (N=150) 37% 63% Tiranë (N=335) 31% 69%
Total (N=955) 40% 60%
4.8 Safety and Protection
This section assesses the impact of the earthquake upon the safety and protection of families with children. It further assesses the issue of general security of the family and, especially, of children in their current respective shelters. It also explores whether incidents of violence have occurred.
While the earthquake caused 51 victims, 13 families have lost a family member or relative due to the earthquake.
43 Findings
Figure 41. Family members lost, and orphans
families have lost a family member or relative due to 13 the earthquake: 6 in Durrës 6 in Lezhë 1 in Tiranë
Following the earthquake, a considerable number of families have engaged with coping strategies that have impacted the safety and protection of their children (Figure 42). Around ten percent of respondents have resorted to withdrawing their children from school10 as a coping strategy and seven percent have sent them (even though they were under 18 years of age) to work in order to provide income for the household.
Figure 42. Coping strategies impacting the safety and protection of children, by county
Yes No
Durrës Lezhë Tiranë Total Have to resort to withdraw Children from school 10% 90% 12% 88% 10% 90% 10% 90%
Sent children (under 18) to work in order to provide 7% 93% 7% 93% 7% 93% 7% 93% resources for the household
When assessing the level of provision of on-site security at the family’s current shelter, more than one-third (36%) of families felt that such measures were absent (Figure 43), though less so in Tiranë.
Families living in tents or their own damaged house stand out as particularly vulnerable. More than half (58%) of those in tents felt that security is not provided, as do two-
10. This question was asked in a manner that does not specify a period of time. Hence, the ten percent who withdrew their children may have done so for a short period or could also be part of those respondents who have children who still have not returned to school.
44 Findings
Figure 43. Security provision on site, by county
Yes No Do not know Durrës (N=470) 67% 32% 1%
Lezhë (N=150) 67% 29% 3% Tiranë (N=335) 52% 44% 4%
Total (N=955) 62% 36% 2% thirds (67%) of families living in their damaged houses. Unsurprisingly, families residing in hotels appear to be the least vulnerable in this regard.
Figure 44. Security provision on site, by type of shelter
Yes No Do not know
Tent (N=383) 41% 58% 1%
Hotel (N=300) 96% 2% 2%
Own damaged house (N=126) 29% 67% 5%
Rented house (N=31) 87% 6% 6%
Relatives house (N=61) 74% 25% 2%
Containers/warehouse/cabin (N=29) 72% 28%
Other (N=25) 72% 24% 4%
Respondents were then asked whether there had been at least one case of violence or conflict in the current shelter during the last month. In all, 44 families (5%) reported having had such an experience (Figure 45). They comprised 225 family members including 82 children, who could potentially be exposed to these cases. Lezhë County,
Figure 45. Exposure to violence or conflict in the current shelter during the last month, by county
Yes No Do not know Durrës (N=470) 4% 96%
Lezhë 7% 91% 1% (N=150)
Tiranë 4% 96% (N=335)
Total 5% 95% (N=955)
45 Findings
with seven percent, had a higher reported incidence than the other counties. Such cases were slightly more prevalent in tents or hotels than in other types of shelter.
When asked whether they or their children generally feel safe, the majority replied positively (82%; Figure 48), though in Tirana 21 percent reported not feeling safe from violence or conflict, along with 15 percent in Lezhë and fourteen percent in Durrës. Thus, in all, 159 families, including 290 children, currently do not feel safe from violence and conflict. One-quarter (25%) of those who currently do not feel safe reside in tents, and fourteen percent in their own damaged house.
Figure 46. Feeling safe from violence or conflict, by county
Yes No Do not know Durrës (N=470) 85% 14% 1%
Lezhë 83% 15% 2% (N=150)
Tiranë 76% 21% 3% (N=335)
Total 82% 17% 2% (N=955)
4.9 Priority Needs for Recovery
Housing stands out clearly as the main priority need for recovery from the earthquake, highlighted by 94 percent of the study respondents (Figure 47). Nearly two-thirds see a priority in receiving direct support in cash in order to recover. Nearly half, a need for provision of food and water (44%), and more than one-third, education for children (36%). One in four perceive employment opportunities as an important aspect to help the recovery and 21 percent, health care and medication.
While other needs are highlighted by only a few respondents, it should not be disregarded that eight percent see the receipt of psycho-social support as a priority, and seven percent, a need for protection from conflict or violence. Some regional differences exist among priority needs for recovery (Figure 48). Families from all counties clearly highlight the need for housing as the top priority, followed by direct support in cash, though more of those in Lezhë (79%) view this as a higher priority than those in Tirana (61%), or Durrës (56%).
Food and water appear to be most needed in Tirana (52%) and Durrës (45%), with fewer viewing this as a priority in Lezhë (23%). Education for children is more commonly
46 Findings
Figure 47. Priority needs for recovery, overall Housing 94% Direc support in cash 61% Food and/or water 44% Education for children 36% Employment 25% Health care and medication 21% Support and care for children 12% Acess to water/hygiene and cleaning services 9% Psycho-social support 8% Other temporary, settlement 7% Protection against insecurity, violence, etc. 7% Financial aid to reassume business 2% Other 2%
Figure 48. Priority needs for recovery, by county Durrës Lezhë Tiranë
Housing 95% 99% 91% Cash 56% 79% 61% Food and/or water 45% 23% 52% Education for children 37% 22% 40% Employment 20% 48% 23% Health care and medication 21% 13% 23% Support and care for children 14% 1% 13% Acess to water/hygiene and cleaning services 9% 8% 9% Psycho-social support 8% 7% 9% Other temporary, settlement 6% 9% 7% Protection against insecurity, violence, etc. 8% 2% 7% Other, please specify 3% 1% 3% Financial aid to reassume business 3% 2% 1% highlighted in Tirana (40%) than in Durrës (37%) or Lezhë (22%). Lezhë on the other hand stands out in regard to employment needs, with 48 percent viewing this as a priority need for recovery, compared with some 20 percent in the other two counties. Meanwhile, health and medication are perceived as a priority need by 23 percent of Tirana respondents, 21 percent in Durrës but only thirteen percent in Lezhë. Whereas fourteen percent of respondents in Durrës, and thirteen percent in Tirana, highlight support and care for children as a priority, only one percent do so in Lezhë.
47 Annexes
Annexes
I. Additional Data
Figure A1. Gender of respondents Figure A3. Education of respondents
Female Male 35%
65%
60% 31% 10%
Primary Secondary University Education Education Degrr Figure A2. Age of respondents
31%
21% 22%
12% 8% 6%
65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 18-24 y.o. y.o. y.o. y.o. y.o. y.o.
48 Annexes
Table A1. Number of children living in families with main income of economic aid, social assistance or disability allowances, by county and municipality Figure A3. Education of respondents County Municipality Number of children
Durrës 66 Krujë 38 Durrës Shijak 25 Total 129 Lezhë 37 Kurbin 68 Lezhë Mirditë 1 Total 106 Tiranë 169 Kavajë 16 Tirana Rrogozhinë 0 Vorë 23 Total 208 TOTAL 443
Table A2. Access of families to technology prior- and post-earthquake, by county
County Access before the Access after the Device Percentage point drop earthquake (%) earthquake (%) mobile phone 99 94 -5 Internet 38 26 -12 Durrës computer 20 6 -14 tablet 11 8 -3 mobile phone 95 94 -1 Internet 27 9 -18 Lezhë computer 11 3 -8 tablet 8 2 -6 mobile phone 96 93 -3 Internet 29 19 -10 Tirana computer 11 4 -7 tablet 5 4 -1
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Table A3. Children with disability or chronic illness, by county and municipality
County Municipality Children with disability Children with chronic illness (PAK and no PAK combined) Durrës 10 20 Krujë 5 8 Durrës Shijak 8 3 Total 23 31 Lezhë 3 4 Kurbin 3 9 Lezhë Mirditë 0 0 Total 6 13 Tiranë 10 13 Kavajë 3 2 Tirana Rrogozhinë 1 1 Vorë 1 4 Total 15 20 TOTAL 44 64
Figure A4. Food provision, by number of children in family (multiple)
Family with 1 child Family with 2 children Family with 3 children Family with 4 children or more Total
Bought 60% 54% 58% 54% 57%
Provided 51% 57% 53% 69% 55%
Own production 6% 6% 5% 3% 6%
Other 1% 2% 0% 0% 1%
50 Annexes
Figure A5. Reasons for child not returning to care or educational institution
Do not have means to send child to school/kindergarten/nursery 11%
We are scared and refuse to send the child to school/kindergarten/ nursery 11%
Cannot support sending them to school/kindergarten/nursery now 11%
New accommodation is far from 10% the school/transportation cost
New accommodation is far from the school/transportation cost 9%
Child is scared and refuses to go to school/kindergarten/nursery 8%
School/kindergarten/nursery was damaged 3% and we do not feel safe to send the child to school
Sickness/ disability 1% Number of respondants=447 (Multiple answers)
57% did not provide an answer Child helps HH in diff. chores 0.4% unpaid (e.g. farming. business)
51