Project Partners

Heifer Albania and Farmers’ Families Provide Aid to Flood Affected Families

On January 21, 2010, Heifer Albania and farmers of the Laknasi project responded to heavy flooding by providing concentrated feed and hay for the affected families. The country struggles to deal with the worst floods that have hit Northern Albania following weeks of heavy rains and amounts of water discharged from dams of three major hydro-power plants on the Drini river cascade.

In the first days of 2010, heavy snow, followed by equally heavy rain, caused rivers in Northern Albania to burst their banks. Some 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of land and 2,500 houses were flooded in a few days in the Shkodra region. Fifteen farmers’ families in the Dajci community were affected by this natural disaster. Six families were evacuated from their homes, including animals, while others moved to the highest points of the village, staying with animals for more than 15 days surrounded by water.

“Cows were evacuated first,” says farmer Simon Vija. “The water rose to one meter and the situation looked scary.” We set up improvised tents on the top of a hill to shelter them and for 15 days we’ve been trapped, together with our animals. The only way to enter the village was by boat. Although no damages were reported in livestock, farmers have lost their expected crops, forage and feed for animals.

The flooding waters have retreated, but have left their marks behind; litter and gravel covers the roads. Most of these families returned to their hardly inhabitable homes to face the enormous amount of damage. Furniture and appliances are useless. Crops, plants and greenhouses are ruined.

Heifer Albania immediately sent 1000 kg of concentrated feed to the affected families, in order to ensure the animals were taken care of. Heifer efforts were joined by other groups of farmers of the Tirana region; farmers of the Laknasi group donated 2000 kg of hay to farmers in the Dajçi community. Other private businesses also responded to Heifer’s call for support. “AniPharma” offered additional concentrated feed for families.

“It is important for us to know that other people, farmers and Heifer are with us in this moment," says Burhan Vera, leader of a farmers group. "Providing feed for animals is crucial in this period, as forage, hay and silage is rotten.”

Heifer Albania is also working in cooperation with groups of farmers and partners to evaluate the situation and plan further interventions to support these families.

Help families in Albania and beyond through Heifer International. Give a gift of hope to a family across the world.