Shkodra has welcomed dozens of Roma families who have been living there for years without being registered in the civil registry, they are mainly located in the entrance part of the city near the Buna river but also in different neighborhoods such as "Top - Han" , "Dubai neighborhood" etc. , asked why they chose Shkodra, their answer is that here they can work freely with recyclable waste, collecting iron and trading it.
Another reason is the possibility to cross the border to the neighboring country, Montenegro, where they work begging or collecting urban waste during the summer season.
Their problems are numerous, ranging from inadequate accommodation in barracks to vaccination of children.
Many organizations have helped to improve living conditions, but their main problem is and remains temporary housing. During the year they migrate to different cities to work and as a result they are forced to build barracks due to economic impossibility and short-term stay in the city, they do not find it suitable to find apartments for rent.
"We want to have a house with walls, because it is cold here during the winter, but we are also afraid of floods"-tells Citizens Channel Astriti, who has 3 children and has been living in a shack for 5 years
During the floods in the winter season, Roma families living near the "Buna Bridge" were also affected. "When the floods started, we were forced to leave Shkodra towards Tirana, leaving behind everything we had there, we had nothing to do, the barracks were taken by the river"- says young Alfred, the father of 5 children
Law on Social Housing Article 54 guarantees the construction of temporary shelters in settlements, but this law has not yet taken the appropriate form to be implemented by Albanian institutions, as by-laws are expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers.
Roma and Egyptian activists say that: "During visits to the Roma community in Shkodër, this is one of the biggest problems. During the winter, there are families who risk their lives by living near the river in shacks, it is very important that temporary shelters are built for them as soon as possible to have a normal life and away from dangers".
Activists show that the families see this solution as reasonable, they demand more perseverance for this to be achieved by the Municipality of Shkodra
The family members say that the Municipality had promised them that they would build apartments, but they have not achieved anything to date, and they still live under the fear of floods.
*Citizens Channel/ Brejdon Xhavara
