Implementation period: July – December 2022

ASET Center, supported by UNDP and in partnership with the municipalities of Durrës and Kavajë, contributed with home assistance for the recovery of the most vulnerable individuals affected by the November 2019 earthquake in Kavajë and Durrës. The project assisted people in need (families affected by the earthquake, those living in poverty, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups) with home care services, psycho-social support, and assistance for access to health services. This was a very important project for providing integrated services to families in need. An individual intervention plan was developed for each beneficiary, including home care, emotional support, and coordination with other community services. The services offered included home care for individuals, following the manuals and standards approved by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as well as utilizing all the instruments provided within them (regulations, job descriptions). In addition to the services, individuals were supported with food packages and other supplies, such as household appliances. This assistance model provided by ASET Center not only eased the burden on the administrative units’ staff but also strengthened the capacities of local social service structures.

An important component of the project was the training of students from the Faculty of Social Sciences as social operators, who then provided assistance on the ground to the targeted groups.

At the end of the project, the identified individuals received sustained and structured support, while the students engaged in a practical experience that enhanced their professional skills. The project promoted the provision of social services, creating a volunteer network to ensure the continuity of support for vulnerable groups. The practices promoted more public initiatives for home assistance for individuals with various social issues and offered training opportunities to increase the capacity of social service structures within local government.