Children in flood-wrecked northwest Albania celebrate Christmas & a brighter new year

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While colourful lights adorn many of Albania's towns and cities, the scene in Shkodra, northwest Albania is anything but festive. Devastated by the recent floods, families continue to huddle in cold dorms with little hope of returning to their homes. Now more than ever, children especially need to feel hope and an event organised by World Vision, churches and other partners gave more than 750 children from the flooded areas, the chance to celebrate and hope for a better new year. The Christmas celebration involved a variety of activities such as songs, games, watching a movie and hearing the message of hope of Christmas– a hope shaken by the flooding that wrecked havoc upon Shkodra this December. The celebration brought smiles to the faces of the children as they danced to the joyful music, recited poems and raised their voices in song, reaching the hearts of the participants. 'I think that such celebrations make people and especially children forget for a while the hard situation that was created here. We have had a challenging experience and it was hard for us to live through it,' says Regiona Mataj, aged 15 from the Livadhe village, which is part of World Vision's Shkodra Area Development Programme (ADP). While the streets of Albanian cities are full of lights, colourful shop windows and the smiling faces of people match the special, tranquil atmosphere of Christmas time, in Shkodra, in northwest Albania, another scene tells a very different story. Thousand of houses and agricultural land are covered with water. Thousands of people are dealing with the cold winter in the dorms where they are living or in their homes affected by the flooding. Although the water level has decreased in some areas, in other areas houses remain inundated. Many displaced families have returned to their homes, but still many other families are living in dorms under critical hygienic conditions. Those who have returned back to their homes have worked hard to clean and disinfect their homes so they can live there again. 'When I came back to my house I saw that the situation was very critical,' says Luigj Guri, aged 40. 'There were a lot of insects inside the house and lots of garbage that the water has brought inside.' 'The flood has destroyed my appliances like the fridge and the washing machine,' continues Luigj's wife, Xhuljana. 'This house with the furniture inside is all our work and our lifetime savings.' Before people can return to their homes most of the houses will need to be repaired. House restoration is one of the biggest challenges that has not yet been adequately addressed in planning. Local and central government have promised to compensate the families affected by flooding, but until the water completely subsides and assessments can be conducted, no compensations will be paid. For students, the situation is more promising. Almost all of the schools are open and children are regularly attending school. All residents in the dormitories and flooded areas are being supplied with food and other basic necessities by local government and local actors. During this time, World Vision has been working with the Regional Education Directory and the municipality in order to facilitate the progress of child participation in schools. Shkodra ADP has been conducting activities with children, youth and mothers who continue to stay in dormitories. Some of the churches and local organisations are partnering with World Vision to organise activities together, such as Christmas activities, which have helped to restore the hope that was shattered this month. 'I was very sad during the flooding,' says Emiljana Guri, aged 10. 'Today I had a very good time and I forgot about the problems and my sadness. Thank you from my heart!' For children it is harder to experience the critical situation of the flooding. World Vision is continuing to bring psychosocial support to the children through activities in Child Friendly Spaces. 'I can't wait to attend the activities of the Child Friendly Spaces because they bring joy to me,' says Xhesika Prendi, aged 12. 'This Christmas celebration was a lot of fun. It was beautiful to be together with so many other children!' Christmas for many children around the world means coming together with their family in their warm house, sharing presents and good times. Many children in Shkodra this Christmas only wish to return to their homes where they can continue life normally as it was before the flooding. -Ends-