ELBASAN RELIEF REPORT
OVER 1,000,000 REFUGEES FOR ALBANIA
ANOTHER 50,000 REUGEES TO ELABSAN?
Greetings!
Another day dawns, and it promises to be busy. Today it is buy mattresses, collect pallets for our new 'warehouse' (actually a large, newly built shop unit), go to get aid from another groupcollect 60 blankets from WV (World Vison), take a plumber to one group to check out the washing machine, collect hygiene packs for 100 people from WV, move all aid from our meeting place to the new store, sort out aid to be delivered this evening, and deal with the expected rush of families collecting their aid. Most of this before 1:00pm. Then I have to teach several classes during the afternoon, and if I can, fit in a visit to the opticians. before 12:00pm. Well, it keeps us out of mischief.
Breaking news! We 'bumped' into the head of WV last night. We had an interesting conversation. he had earlier been to see the Prime Minister, who told him they expect to have over 1,000,000 (not a misprint...ONE MILLION REFUGEES) eventually. Here in Elbasan we can expect around another 50,000, (again, not a misprint.) True, most of these will be in camps, but the Bashki are keen to get as many as they can into apartments and houses. Currently, there are around 7,000 registered in homes in the city.
Yesterday we crossed the 400 mark, as we took on several more families. Also, we met a business man, who with two others is providing accomodation and food for 87 refugees. But they are in urgent need of matresses and blankets. We are going to sort that out today, fortunately, we will not be having a long term regular involvement with this group, at least for the moment. But we have inherited a family of eleven and several smaller families. Also, one family wo have a young son who suffers from MD, and needs a wheelchair. We have approached the IRCC and also the local Catholi's for help in finding one, they are both going to try, the Catholics even phoning Italy to try and have one sent over on the next consignment of aid due Monday. One of the facinating aspects of all this, is the cooperation between all the different groups who would normally have little to do with each other. This must be good for the future. This family were originally at the Turkish camp until a local home owner said they could stay with them. After they had moved they were told they would need to pay rent from the end of the month. They hve no money, and are looking for other accomdation. We have told them that we will help look for something else and also cover their rent ($100 per month) for a while.
I hate to raise the transport issue again, but we are now getting desperate. Eddie was not able to help us yesteray morning, and we lost out on going to collect some urgently needed goods. Even with out own vehicle, we would still need to use Eddie's van, as our schedule is growing to the extent that we will need two vehicles to fulfill our role. If anyone can help with funds for transport we wouild be delighted.
Also, we need to look into the future. This problemis not going to go away soon. Again, talking to the head of WV, who have considerable experience in the field of refugee relief, we are looking at next spring before the refugees will be able to finally return. Nato have said Jan 1st earliest. So we are going to need funding to continue our work. Our current goal of 500 refugees will soon be reached. And, if we do get another 50,000 here we will need to pass that. Our problem is not being able to say 'no!' But when you see people in such need, how can we turn them away. Also, we need workers. If there is anyone who could come and be a part of our team for the time being, we would love to have you here. The young people are doing a fabulous job in their spare time, but we need a couple to help either with the teaching programme, releasing Dulcie and me to do the relief work full time, or to do the relief work full time. How much do we need? I don't know, but just for Elbasan we could be looking at around six figures.
It is possible that many of the young people may have extended holidays. It appears that the government will be putting refugees into the schools and dormitories. They say that they would be out by September. Apparently those with experience of this kind of situation say that this seldom happens, and as a result schools stay closed for an indefinite period.
That's about it for today. Time to go and make a start. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to fulfill our responsibities as the Lord's people to care for those in need. We have all accepted the challenge, those here in Elbasan, but also the brethren in Tirana, Vlora and Korcha. It is an awesome repsonsibility, and with the thought of what is to come, we are almost scared. At the same time, we have not forgotten our prime objective for being here, that is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In His service
Pete, Dulcie & the team