After last month’s devastating earthquake in Albania, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has dispatched search and rescue crew alongside engineering and structural specialists to assist victims and assess the safety of damaged buildings.
The 6.4-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tremors, including a 5.3-magnitude aftershock, have killed 51 people, injured over 3,000 and displaced 6,000. 7,900 of the country’s buildings have also been damaged.
The day after the earthquake, Mevo’ot HaHermon Regional Council’s search and rescue crew flew over to assist relief efforts in Albania.
A further delegation of 10 IDF engineering and structural specialists flew to Albania on December 3rd, bringing Israeli technology to examine the structural safety of damaged buildings. Their findings will be used to determine which areas are safe by local officials.
The delegation also brought waterproof tents, purchased by the Israeli Foreign Ministry for the Albanian government.
Yuli Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, wrote to his counterpart in Albania that “Israel views Albania as a dear friend, and I am proud that our rescue and medical professionals are on hand to help the dedicated local teams in efforts to save additional lives”.
The IDF issued a statement saying: “The IDF will continue to assist, in the name of the State of Israel, in whatever disaster it requires and contribute its experience and capabilities worldwide.
In 2016 the World Health Organization ranked the IDF field hospitals as the best in the world recognising their proud history of disaster relief in countries such as Nepal, the Philippines, and Haiti.
