On 26 November 2019 at 3.45am a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Albania. The epicentre was approximately 10km north of the coastal city of Durres. Durres lies 30km to the west of the capital Tirana and is Albania's second largest city.

This region already suffered several earthquakes in September, and this latest quake will exacerbate the situation for an already struggling population. The number of people reported injured, missing or dead is likely to rise, and further damage to infrastructure is expected.

Swiss Humanitarian Aid, part of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is sending an expert team to the area this evening. Around 15 Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) specialists will assist the Albanian emergency forces in search and rescue operations to extract victims, in ascertaining humanitarian needs and assessing the structural safety of affected buildings. The team will also make preparations for further support missions and initiate specific relief measures.

Switzerland is already active in Albania through the SDC and its partners.

Earthquake in Albania: Switzerland sends team of humanitarian experts