TIRANA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a new house for the Sala family, one of the Albanian families affected by the Nov. 26 earthquake, began on Sunday with sponsorship of pop singer Rita Ora, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said.
The six-member Sala family is one of many families that were severely affected by the strong earthquake which jolted the country on Nov. 26 and had claimed 51 lives.
According to a press statement by the Tirana government, Ora, an English singer of Albanian descent, had responded to the call of the capital city to assist one family with a new home for them before the New Year.
Following the earthquake, Ora announced her decision on social media to help Albanians. The new house for the Sala family is located in the village of Pinar, in the suburbs of Tirana.
"The family I have chosen is the Sala family and we will be following the works for the construction of their new house," Ora wrote.
According to Veliaj, the city government can't afford the construction of every house damaged or destroyed by the earthquake.
On Friday, Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka said at least 4,000 Albanians are unable to return to their homes due to the damages caused by the devastating earthquake.
