UAE to fund Dh257m housing project in Albania

Residential complex is in area that sustained major damage in a series of recent earthquakes

A car is buried in rubble after the earthquake that shook Albania. Reuters

The Albanian Army uses a controlled blast to destroy an earthquake-damaged building in Durres, Albania. Reuters

Albanian people who live in Greece hold candles, during a memorial for the victims of a deadly earthquake that struck Albania. AP Photo

An excavator works at a damaged building in Durres, Albania. EPA

Relatives mourn during the funeral of six members of the Cara family, killed during the earthquake. Reuters

A child holds bread he received at a makeshift camp in Durres. Reuters

People stay at a makeshift shelter in a gym in Durres after the earthquake shook Albania. Reuters

Rescuers from Romania work at a collapsed building. AP Photo

Emergency personnel place an Albanian flag on top of rubble during a search for survivors. Reuters

Firefighters rescue a survivor after an earthquake hit Thumane, Albania. EPA

A view of a damaged wall of a 2000-year-old amphitheater after the earthquake in Durres. EPA

A damaged building after the earthquake hit Durres. EPA

Emergency personnel search for survivors in a collapsed building in Durres. Reuters

The UAE will provide a Dh257 million ($69.9m) grant to fund the construction of a large housing project in Albania.

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, an autonomous national organisation affiliated with the emirate’s government, approved the grant, to be provided by the UAE government, on Sunday.

The money will go towards building more than 2,000 residential housing units as part of a wider urban redevelopment plan in an area of Albania, Durres County, that sustained major damage in a series of recent earthquakes.

“This development project ... helps provide people with safe, affordable housing, in line with UN sustainable development goals, while contributing to the positive economic development of a long-term strategic global partner nation,” said Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of ADFD.

Durres County is home to Albania's second largest city as well as the Port of Durres, one of the largest transport, shipping and logistics hubs on the Adriatic Sea that links Albania to western Europe.

The area was hit by two major earthquakes last year, including the strongest quake to hit the region in more than 30 years.

This project will provide housing to the thousands of local residents displaced when 2,500 buildings were rendered uninhabitable as a result of the natural disasters.

“Albania and the UAE have long maintained a strong and mutually beneficial economic co-operation relationship,” said Arben Ahmetaj, Minister of State for Reconstruction in Albania.

“The redevelopment of Durres County has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and this project will help accelerate our continued economic recovery.”

ADFD will work closely with the Albanian government to monitor and supervise the project development to ensure construction is in line with international quality, environmental and safety standards.

Since 2011, ADFD has funded projects totalling more than Dh440 million, including Tirana River and road rehabilitation projects that helped increase foreign investment in Albania.