Albania faced three consecutive crises in very short timeframe. Besides the pandemic, two devastating earthquakes occurred, where human lives were lost and thousands were left homeless.

Albania lies at the convergence boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the Adriatic Plate. Frequent earthquakes are the result. On 26 November 2019, an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude occurred, which affected the lives of more than 200,000 people in Albania. According to Red Cross, at least 32,000 people were left homeless.

With big challenges and hard times, there are also many opportunities that create changes for better. All it takes, is being open-minded. Limiting beliefs should be turned into a mindset that can adapt fast to a new reality.

1. Identification of the lonely older people: based on the documentation available from the respective administrative units and the provided referrals.

2. Drafting each beneficiary's intervention plan based on their need to obtain a free or paid food / non-food package or medication.

3. Assisting with support and care for all groups in need of priority, defining and coordinating groups in each administrative unit/neighborhood, providing aid and care to older people in need of assistance.

4. Cooperation with civil society and the city's business community, as an added value to this initiative.

5. Preparing the calendar with the addresses of the lonely elderly who needed services such as food or medication, care, and assistance in multiple activities in the home etc.

The “Adopt a grandparent” initiative became the theme of solidarity in the Municipality of Tirana. The message of this initiative lies in social values; Humanity can go through the most difficult challenges. What remains in every nation and state is the desire of the people to help themselves. This approach was unexpected, but quite necessary, also in taking measures to provide assistance to the needy, in the conditions of the epidemic caused by COVID-19.