1

IPA Beneficiary Needs Assessment

Albania

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this

publication are the sole responsibility of the UNDP and WMO and can in no way be taken to reflect

the views of the European Union.

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Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 5

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Natural Hazards and Disaster Risks ......................................................................................................... 5

Governance and Institutional Arrangements for DRR ............................................................................ 8

Legal and Strategic Framework .......................................................................................................... 8

Institutional Framework ..................................................................................................................... 9

Funding and Budgets ........................................................................................................................ 10

Civil Society ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Information Management ..................................................................................................................... 12

Post-Disaster Assessment ................................................................................................................. 12

Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 12

Information Management ................................................................................................................ 13

Early Warning Systems .......................................................................................................................... 14

Capacity Development .......................................................................................................................... 15

Awareness Raising ............................................................................................................................ 15

Training ............................................................................................................................................. 16

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ...................................................................................................... 16

Preparedness for Disaster Response .................................................................................................... 17

Cross-cutting issues ............................................................................................................................... 18

Gender .............................................................................................................................................. 18

Climate Risk Management ................................................................................................................ 18

Regional and International Cooperation ............................................................................................... 19

SWOT Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 20

Strengths ........................................................................................................................................... 20

Gaps/Weaknesses ............................................................................................................................. 20

Opportunities .................................................................................................................................... 21

Threats .............................................................................................................................................. 21

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Recommendations Endorsed by the National Policy Dialogue ............................................................. 22

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 26

Annex 1: South East Europe Disaster Risk Management Initiative ....................................................... 27

Annex 2 - List of Respondents ............................................................................................................... 29

Annex 3: Hazard Maps .......................................................................................................................... 31

Road Type ...................................................................................................................................... 32

Seismic Hazard Map of PGA, 475 years of returned period ................................................................. 32

Stability Shading .................................................................................................................................... 32

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List of Acronyms

ANSD Average Number of Snowy Days

ARC Albanian Red Cross

ASL Above Sea Level

CEP Committee for Environment Protection

CRIF Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility

DPPI Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative

DRMAP Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project

DRR Disaster Risk Reduction

EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

GDCE General Directorate for Civil Emergencies

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GoA Government of Albania

HFA Hyogo Framework for Action

ICOLD International Committee of Large Dams

IEWE (or INEWE) Institute of Environment, Water and Energy

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

KTP-N.2-89 Construction Design Code, Nr. 2, Year 1989

MANDSC Mean Annual Number of Days with Snow Cover

MDSC Maximum Depth of the Snow Covers

MoI Ministry of Interior

NCESS National Civil Emergency Service System

NDP National Development Plans

NEA National Environment Agency

NEAP National Environment Action Plan

NOCCE National Operation Center for Civil Emergencies

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SEE South East Europe

SME Small and medium Enterprises

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNISDR UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

VCA Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment

WMO World Meteorological Organization

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Executive Summary

Introduction Albania is highly exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards. However, to date we know little about

the ability of the government and communities of the country to manage natural hazard-related

risks. This report identifies and elaborates general needs with respect to strengthening disaster risk

management in Albania.

The report covers the five priority areas of action under the Hyogo Framework for Action.1 It begins

with an analysis of the enabling environment and institutions involved in disaster risk reduction

(DRR). Risk assessment and early warning systems are then examined. The ensuing sections deal

with capacity development and education, the integration of DRR into development, and the state of

preparedness and response mechanisms. Cross-cutting issues covered include gender, mechanisms

for dealing with climate change, and regional and international cooperation. The report also

includes an overarching SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and

results and recommendations from a national policy dialogue.

The report was produced under the auspices of the South East Europe Disaster Risk Management

Initiative, for which UNDP, WMO, ISDR, and World Bank are collaborating in their respective areas of

comparative advantage (see Annex 1 for additional details). The UNDP component of the initiative

covers disaster risk reduction in general and aims to build capacity in DRR mainstreaming and the

establishment of National Platforms, to promote the harmonisation of DRR methodologies, plans,

and strategies, as well as to assess needs for the purpose of elaborating a regional strategy for

strengthening DRR. The WMO component of the project seeks to promote cooperation among

national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHS), as well as to assess their needs and

develop capacity for acquisition, assimilation, exchange and dissemination of data and information

related to hydrometeorological hazards.

To create this report, UNDP and WMO mobilized consultants to work jointly with national

consultants. These teams consulted with a wide range of DRR stakeholders. Initial results were

presented to national stakeholders during a National Policy Dialogue (held on 15-16 July 2010) for

review and discussion. During this meeting, participants endorsed the report, as well as a set of

recommendations emanating from it. These recommendations comprise the final section of the

document.

Natural Hazards and Disaster Risks Albania is exposed to geologic (earthquakes, rock falls and landslides), hydro-meteorological

(flooding and torrential rain, rain or snowfall induced landslides and avalanches, snowstorms, high

snowfall, windstorms, droughts and heat waves) and biophysical hazards (forest fires and

epidemics). Landslides, biophysical hazards and avalanches are strongly related to hydrometeorology

and weather conditions.

1 The HFA was elaborated and signed by over 160 countries during the World Conference on Disaster

Reduction held in Kobe, Japan in January 2005. It sets the global DRR agenda through 2015

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These hazards can be natural or human-induced and can cause spatially and seasonally localised

disasters (e.g. flash floods, wild and forest fires, landslides, rock falls, avalanches, etc.) or disasters of

a more widespread nature (e.g. earthquakes and epidemics, etc).

In terms of DRR, the country is exposed to a spectrum of environmental problems that were

inherited from the former planned and centralised economy. Some of these problems are the

deterioration of bio-diversity (previous deforestation and loss of flora and fauna), soil erosion, water,

air and land pollution and the continued existence of high risk areas (hot spots) with respect to

environmental pollution, all of which can potentially exacerbate the effects and impacts of natural

hazards. These problems are reinforced by shortcomings in the implementation of the legal and

institutional framework, despite recent significant improvements.

Albania is characterised by intense micro (1.0< Magnitude on the Richter Scale 3.0) earthquake

activity, small (3.0

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of other engineering works. In 2009, eight serious landslides occurred in populated rural areas,

affecting a large number of families, houses, infrastructure, etc.

Table 1: Economic losses from disasters caused by the impact of natural hazards in Albania, 1974-2006

Source: UN/ISDR and the World Bank 2008. Notes: Economic loss from other hazards is also included for calculating annual

average economic loss

During the last two decades, the occurrence of forest fires in Albania has increased in number and

also in size of affected area. Albanian forests are especially prone to fire at the end of spring and

during unusually warm and dry summers. The causes of these fires can be anthropogenic (human

negligence, pasture burning and similar and to a lesser extent as a result of arson) or natural

(lightning). Most damage occurs in the coniferous forests.

Since the 1960s, the mean intensity, length and number of heat waves across the eastern

Mediterranean have increased, particularly the accumulation of short (less than 6 days) but more

intense heat wave events compared with previous decades. Albania is exposed to these increases

and at least three events leading to mortality and economic loss have been recorded since 1980.

. According to EM-DAT data, 23 disaster events have been recorded for the period 1980 to 2010. Of

these, nine were flood events, four were earthquakes and three related to extreme temperatures.

During this period, 163 people were killed, nearly four million people have been affected and the

accumulated estimate of economic damage is close to US$25,000,000. However, one drought event

in 1989 was estimated to have affected 3,200,000 people. The economic cost of this drought has not

been calculated. In fact, the estimate of economic damage for the period relates to recent flood

events only.

The South East European Climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaptation acknowledges that

the entire region of South East Europe will have to face increased annual mean temperatures,

decreased annual number of precipitation days and increased magnitudes and frequencies of

climatic extremes. The majority of SEE countries also share similar vulnerable groups: low-income

groups in drought-prone areas with poor infrastructure and market distribution systems, low to

medium-income groups in flood-prone areas due to the possible loss of stored food or assets and

farmers who may have their land damaged or submerged by increased floods. The first impacts of

Years used to calculate the

average

GDP per capita

[USD/in- habitants] in

2005

Annual average economic loss

due to all hazards (in millions of

USD)

Percentage

of GDP

Economic loss (in millions of USD)

Drought Earthquake Flood

1974-2006 2,755.3 68.67 2.49 2238 2 to 5 24.673

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climate change will likely be felt in the agricultural production, water resources availability, forestry

and energy (because of SEE countries heavy dependence on hydropower)4.

For Albania, as stated in its first and second National Communication to the Conference of Parties

under the UNFCCC, the most dramatic increases in temperature and decreases in total precipitation

are projected for the summer period. The increase of summer temperatures might result in greater

risk of crop damage from pests and diseases and in greater fire risk because of droughts. The

increase in winter temperatures is expected to lead to precipitation in form of rain rather than snow,

which may induce greater risks of soil erosion. Reduced runoff is likely to degrade water quality and

wetland. It will also reduce ground water supply, which might bring a shortage of adequate quality of

drinking water. Extreme rainfall events and increased variability of river flows will make flooding

more severe. By 2100, a sea level increase of up to 30-45 cm is predicted, flooding coastal areas.

Abatement measures such as energy saving through energy efficiency measures, promotion of

renewable energy sources, waste reduction and sustainable forestry development plans are detailed

in the national communications, and climate-change related issues have also been included in

Albanias National Strategy for Development and Integration 2007-2013.

The vulnerability of Albanias citizens and the impact of disasters in the country are significantly com-

pounded by a relatively high degree of poverty, lack of infrastructure maintenance, unsafe building

and land use practices linked to rapid urbanization, exploitation of natural resources (overgrazing of

pasture, overexploitation of forests and riverbeds, etc.) as well as by the various consequences of

the transition from a state-controlled economy to a free-market one5. Nearly 47% of Albanians live

below the poverty line. Socio-economically fragile groups being often disproportionately exposed to

hazards, the effects of a disaster would negatively affect the prospects for long-term development.

Part of Albanias structural vulnerability stems from the obsolescence of some installations such as

dyke systems, drainage channels, high water collection or flood-control facilities and pumping

stations. Many of these have not been improved in recent times and their deterioration may easily

aggravate the consequences of river flooding. During the winter 2009-2010, severe flooding created

a critical situation at the River Drini hydro-power plants and water-reservoirs as well as downstream,

in the area between Vau, Dejes and the Adriatic Sea. Albanias flooding potential is further increased

by the proliferation of high earth dams constructed on rugged terrain subject to landslides and

earthquakes. The 2003 Risk Assessment Study of Natural Disasters established that the greatest

demand placed on the national civil emergency system would result from earthquakes occurring in

Durres, Elbasan, Berat or Vlora. In these regions, only a few hospitals and school structures are

designed appropriately and the safety of residential buildings is generally poor.

Governance and Institutional Arrangements for DRR

Legal and Strategic Framework The primary legislation dealing with natural and made-made disasters in Albania is the Civil

Emergency Law that dates back to 2001 and focuses primarily on response rather than on

prevention and risk reduction.

4 SEE CC Framework, Action Plan for Adaptation

5 http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/86599/Albania.pdf

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The adoption in 2004 of the National Civil Emergency Plan - a comprehensive practical guide which

covers in detail all stages of the disaster cycle, including prevention, mitigation and preparedness -

addressed on some level the lack of specific provisions for DRR in the current legislation. While the

plan is not yet fully implemented, it nevertheless highlights Albanias will to gradually promote such

practices6. The National Civil Emergency Plan for Albania does not feature individual sectoral plans,

but is nonetheless linked to sectoral strategies and contingency plans such as the National

Environmental Action Plan, the Strategy related to Forest Fires, the Contingency Plan related to

Radioactivity or the Initiative on Land Use and Watershed Management7.

The draft Civil Protection Law formally recognizes the importance and the need to promote disaster

prevention and mitigation, not only at all levels of government - central, regional and local - but in

the private sector as well. The current draft law also clarifies mandates and competencies among the

relevant agencies.

Other laws pertaining to DRR activities are the Law on Fire Protection and the Law on Local

Government, which are completed by legal provisions dealing with environmental protection,

environmental impact assessments, protection and development of forests and pasture, agriculture

and rural area development, safety of dams and dykes, public health protection, urban planning and

construction, etc. Regarding the problem of forest fires, the Government has for example issued

extensive legislation that defines compulsory prevention measures for the protection of forests, such

as the construction of fire prevention barriers, biological/silviculture measures, the construction of

forest monitoring towers, the strengthening of the seasonal forest patrol system, prohibition of

igniting fires in forests, etc.

Overall, even though DRR is addressed in some policies, strategies or action plans, the adopted

approach is not organic and DRR is not yet fully integrated into sectoral and multi-sectoral plans.

Institutional Framework For emergency situations only, an Inter Ministerial Committee for Civil Emergency Response is

established in law. In accordance with the national legislation presented above, a Department of

Civil Emergency Planning and Response is established within the Ministry of Interior. The

Department is responsible for ensuring the effective coordination between all ministries, institutions

and bodies in disaster management. It has close relationships with civil emergency officers in all the

prefectures (qarks) of Albania. It is divided into three structures:

- Directorate for Civil Emergency Planning and Coordination, key institution for disaster

management, especially coordination. This Directorate has started moving beyond mere

preparedness and response, towards recovery activities and the incorporation of DRR

elements into development plans, in particular for disaster prone areas.

- Directorate of Fire Protection and Rescue Police

- National Operations Centre for Civil Emergency, which has direct links with all operational

forces.

6 http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/86599/Albania.pdf

7 http://www.unisdr.org/2005/mdgs-drr/national-reports/Albania-report.pdf

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For now, each line ministry is responsible for the coordination of DRR pertaining to its area of

responsibility. There is little consultation with and guidance from other partners and the Directorate

for Civil Emergency Planning and Coordination. Thus, to match the existing legal provisions, the links

between the Directorate for Civil Emergency Planning and Coordination and line ministries/other

organizations or between implementation partners would need to be reinforced.

Although there are powers and responsibilities assigned to the regional and local governments in

DRR, the system in Albania remains highly centralised. Regional and local governments do not

receive sufficient funding and in practice are excluded from decision-making. Moreover, legislation

does not yet specifically encourage community participation in disaster risk reduction.

The meteorological and hydrological services8 in Albania are represented by three different

Institutions: the Institute of Environment, Water and Energy (IEWE, which is part of Tirana

Polytechnic University and the largest institution), the Military Meteorological Service under the

Albanian Ministry of Defence and the Tirana International Airport Meteorological Service. Private

companies are also active in the field of meteorology. The IEWE is in charge of national hydrological

and meteorological observation networks, of monitoring surface and underground water, air quality

and deals with meteorology/climatology.

The Department of Seismology in the Institute of Geo-sciences (within the Polytechnic University of

Tirana) also plays an important role in terms of DRR since it studies and monitors continuously the

seismic activity in the country to provide real time data to decision-makers and public opinion. The

Albanian Seismological Network, Albanian Strong Motion Network, and the Geodynamics Network

are all part of this department.

Among the relevant institutions, there is inadequate understanding of and capacity for DRR. Overall

coordination is lacking. Albania does not yet have a National DRR Platform that would facilitate the

interaction of key development players around the national DRR agenda and serve as an advocate

for adopting DRR measures at all levels. DRR is frequently assumed without really being identified or

defined. Moreover, many institutions are not adequately involved. For example, the hydro-

meteorological sector does not yet participate fully in national and regional DRR through monitoring,

analyzing, mapping, warning and forecasting hazards. It should be reorganized, with the objective of

making it Public Service according to WMO standards. This can only be realized if adequate human,

technical and financial resources are allocated to this sector, so that it can sustain its role towards

the community and in different phases of DRR, including studies on impacts of climate change.

Funding and Budgets Regarding financial resources, the Law on Civil Emergency Services mentions that the State budget is

the primary financial resource for civil emergency planning and crisis management and that

ministries should have an annual budget for civil emergency planning and response within their

respective field of activity. No mention is made, however, of the amount or percentage of budget

that should be allocated to DRR. The Department of Civil Emergency Planning and Response receives

an annual funding of US$ 200,000 and then allocates part of the amount to its units.

8 A detailed assessment in the role, products and capacity of the hydro-meteorological sector is given in Appendix 2.

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For emergency issues, 4 types of budgetary provision are in place: the emergency budget of the Ministry of Interior, the emergency budgets of local government, reallocated budgets of line ministries and the Council of Ministers Reserve Fund. The Law on the State Budget allocates a yearly reserve fund at national and local levels. The Council

of Ministers is entitled to use this fund in the event of a civil emergency situation, as well as for

disaster reduction measures. In recent years, an inter-institutional action aimed at flood risk

reduction has been implemented in the north-west part of Albania (the Lezha region). This increase

in investment in the financing of disaster reduction has had positive results in areas such as Lezha,

where flooding used to occur frequently but now the level of risk has significantly decreased.

Most of the funds are allocated for disaster preparedness and post-disaster recovery. These budgets

are primarily intended for emergency situations, although there are training and development

budgets within line ministries that include DRR elements. In overall terms though, the financial

means for DRR in Albania are extremely limited at the present time, particularly at the local level9.

On 16 May 2008, Albania has become the first country member of the Catastrophe Insurance Fund

established as part of the SEE Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility (CRIF) to receive USD 2.5 million

from IBRD. These funds were allocated to cover its capital contribution to the Facility and the costs

for conducting a public education campaign on the benefits of catastrophe insurance. The CRIF will

offer innovative low-cost catastrophe insurance products for earthquake and flood risk to

homeowners and small and medium enterprises (SME), including stand-alone catastrophe insurance

coverage for damage to property and stand-alone catastrophe insurance coverage for financial

losses sustained by SME due to such concerns as the interruption of business and damage to

equipment. However, the national insurance sector is currently not involved; its mobilisation is not

guaranteed.

Civil Society With 80,000 members, 2,000 volunteers and 39 branches, the Albanian Red Cross is the main non-

governmental stakeholder in DRR. Founded in the 1920s, its current activities are based on Law No.

7864 on the Albanian Red Cross10. The National Plan for Civil Emergencies in Albania assigns an

important role to the ARC for disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The ARC

has developed its own disaster plans. The ARC structure against disasters is organised on two levels:

the central level, which manages the main human and material resources and the local/district level,

where 39 disaster trained volunteer teams comprising between 25 and 30 people have been

established throughout Albania. In 2002 a partnership agreement was created between the Ministry

of Local Government (today the Ministry of Interior), the Albanian Red Cross and UNDP Albania.

The ARC is an active member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(IFRC). In the event that their disaster resources are insufficient, the ARC can launch an appeal

through the IFRC. The ARCs activities against disasters are focused on disaster needs assessments,

first-aid, healthcare, hygiene issues, social issues and public awareness on DRR.

The ARC is equipped with a radio communications system and has one central and three regional

training centres. It owns a 2,200 sq m warehouse in the centre and three others in the regions of 300

9 http://www.unisdr.org/2005/mdgs-drr/national-reports/Albania-report.pdf

10 dated 29.09.1994

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sq m each. The ARC is able to transport humanitarian relief throughout the country due to its

transportation team that is equipped with appropriate vehicles. The ARC manages a stand-by

material resource able to cater for 8,000 individuals.

Although ARC is quite active, support for community-led DRR remains inadequate. An incomplete

legal and regulatory framework, centralized institutions, financial constraints, and low capacity of

local actors are the main impediments at this level.

Information Management

Post-Disaster Assessment The current legislative system does not have any law that defines a possible disaster recovery

process or how to conduct a post disaster needs assessment. After each event, institutions in charge

realize systematic reports for their field of operation but no detailed analysis of socio-economic and

environmental impacts and losses is conducted. The first efforts to prepare standard post event

reports are underway, but capacity is presently lacking to conduct more detailed analyses of this

nature11.

In order to unify the various reports on disaster situations prepared by various institutions, the

Ministry of Interior has developed a series of standard assessment tools to be applied: a First

Notification Form (prepared at the Prefect level), the First Disaster Information Report (prepared by

a Joint Assessment Team), a Disaster Situation Report to OCHA, and Request for Line Ministries in

Case of Emergencies.

The Rapid Needs Assessment Reports are practical tools presented in the Civil Emergency Manual

that have to be completed by the respective authorities to help them get immediate information on

the level of damage and the needs.

In the case of a large-scale civil emergency situation, a Joint Assessment Team undertakes a Rapid

Needs Assessment. However, prior to this, any contribution should be made by the NOCCE, the Qark

Civil Emergency officer or Prefect and communal and municipal authorities using the same format. In

extreme situations, initial interventions (mass medical care and other priority activities such as

evacuation, search and rescue) can be conducted before or during the Rapid Needs Assessment.

Successive follow-up assessments will be made using the same approach, but with greater detail as

information becomes available and the situation stabilizes.

Risk Assessment The Law on Civil Emergencies Services appoints the Ministry of the Interior as responsible for

conducting risk assessments. For the first time, in October 2003, a national assessment of the

potential hazards and the risks that they represent was published in Tirana. Entitled Disaster Risk

Assessment in Albania, this study provided an expert analysis of specific hazards and risks, including

potential loss of life and property, and identified the areas that have historically been affected as

well as the areas that are most likely to be affected in the future. However, this assessment did not

systematically incorporate a full understanding of vulnerabilities (of communities, infrastructure,

11

http://www.unisdr.org/2005/mdgs-drr/national-reports/Albania-report.pdf

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economy, environment, etc) or current capacities existing to address disaster risk. It has not been

updated since. The emphasis upon hazard analysis and lack of attention to non-structural aspects of

vulnerability reflects the capacities of the institutions involved.

Albania monitors and assesses its risks from natural hazards through several relevant institutions:

For seismic risk - Department of Seismology within the Institute of Geo-sciences (Tirana Polytechnic University)

Floods/avalanches/heavy snow - Primarily by the Institute of Water, Environment and Energy (Tirana Polytechnic University)

Landslides - Institute of Geo-sciences (Tirana Polytechnic University)

Forest fire - Department of Forests and Pastures (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection)

Epidemics - Institute of Public Health (Ministry of Health)

The Albanian Red Cross, with the support of UNDP, has undertaken a 2004 Vulnerability and

Capacity assessment at local level in high-risk areas.

Currently, municipalities do not carry out any risk assessments, since the law on Civil Emergency

Services does not mention any role or responsibility for municipalities on this topic. This might

change with the new draft law, which specifies that local level government units should also conduct

risk assessments in cooperation with relevant institutions at a regional or central level.

Information Management The national focal point of the disaster risk information system is the Department of Civil Emergency

Planning and Response, which consolidates and analyses all risk related information. This done

mostly via a 24-hour National Operations Centre for emergency information concerning immediate

risks. At field level, Civil Emergency Officers in each Prefecture are linked to their counterparts in

communes and municipalities (with the exception of Tirana, which is directly linked to the

Department), but the linkage among them is often weak.

Disaster-related information is collected as part of normal Government data-systems. DRR

Information Management is conducted by sector line ministries/institutions that have already

developed the respective sector development strategies and integrated plans.

The Seismology Department, the Institute of Geo-Sciences and the Institute of Public Health are

deemed quite successful in cataloguing historical disaster events sent to the Directorate for Civil

Emergencies, while the Institute of Water, Environment and Energy is not always providing enough

data and analyses on disaster reduction from floods. Also, the institutions within the Tirana

Polytechnic University tend to focus on the academic aspects of their duties, thereby favoring a

reactive approach and creating a gap with DRR practitioners.

Data collection and sharing is far from being well institutionalized. No official agreement or

mechanism for information transfer exists as such.

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Early Warning Systems The Albanian meteorological observation network is composed of 7 automatic weather stations

(AWS), 15 agro-meteorological stations, 2 marine meteorological stations, 110 manned climate

stations and 15 rain gauge stations. None of the AWS is online except one, and only one AWS is

operational. None of the marine meteorological stations is currently operational and the climate

stations conduct observations only 3 times a day and reports monthly.

The IEWE conducts surface water monitoring and air quality monitoring through more than a

hundred stations covering all main rivers, tributaries and streams, and through one permanent air

monitoring station in Tirana coupled to 7 mobile stations. It also administers 125 meteorological

stations to monitor potential floods, erosion, tempests and thunderstorms.

The Military Meteorological Service possesses 10 climatologic stations, whereas Tirana International

Airport only has one climatologic station.

However, there is no overall level of coordination between these different institutions. The absence

of weather radars, upper air sounding stations or other upper air observation systems, the lack of

lightning detection systems and lack of capacity to run any numerical weather prediction models are

all detrimental to the production and accuracy of short-term (1-24h) weather forecasts. To issue

short- and mid-term weather forecasts, the IEWE is dependent on numerical weather prediction

products from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and from Montenegro.

The Military Meteorological Service cooperates with the Italian meteorological service (a military

organization) and gets their numerical weather prediction products to be used for weather

forecasting.

All in all, the hydrological and meteorological observation network is at significantly lower qualitative

level than in the EU countries, and the absence of numerical weather prediction models represents a

serious impediment to the EWS. There is currently no capacity to operate a 24/7 hydro-

meteorological monitoring, forecasting and warning system in Albania.

The Albanian Seismological Network is presently composed of 13 stations equipped with various

digital instruments, while the Albanian Strong Motion Network is composed of 34 stations (16

digitally upgraded SMA-1 accelerographs, 10 CMG-5TD systems and 8 CMG-5T sensors) distributed in

various towns and soil ground conditions. A new, fully integrated digital seismograph system using

the satellite communication is now under operation as part of Albanias seismographic network. The

data of this digital seismograph system coming from seven satellite remote stations in the country

are exchanged in real time with the INGV in Rome and Thessaloniki University, and efforts are being

made to accomplish real time data exchange with the Mediterranean Seismological Network as well

as the seismological networks of Kosova, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, etc.

Hazard monitoring institutions provide periodic and specific information to the Department of Civil

Emergency Planning and Response. When certain thresholds are met (for example when a certain

level of precipitation triggering serious concern is reached), immediate contact is made with the civil

emergency structures and constant monitoring and transfer of data are undertaken to prepare for a

Stage 1 Alert as defined by the National Civil Emergency Plan. The National Civil Emergency Plan

defines roles, responsibilities and contacts to be established in the case of a civil emergency. Four

steps (Alert, Stand by, Activate, Stand Down) are defined, which establish the lines of conduct and

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warning procedures for the General Director of the Civil Emergency Planning and Response

Department, the Minister of Interior, relevant prefects, departments and agencies.

When disaster/incidents are detected by individuals/police/authorities in the field, the information is

transmitted to the local/police authorities and from there to the National Operations Centre for Civil

Emergencies. The Directorate for Civil Emergency Planning and Coordination and relevant line

Ministries usually assess the situation through relevant experts and then disseminate the warning to

the regional police, local government authorities, operational organisations, NGOs, the media and

ultimately to the public. The 24-hour National Operations Centre for Civil Emergencies has its own

radio network present in all 12 prefectures of Albania. 24 operational centers and radio systems

under the authority of the Ministry of Public Order and Ministry of Defense provide a national

system where early warning can be transmitted very rapidly to alert and if necessary, evacuate

people and property from an area at risk. For most hazards, people can be informed within a

reasonable time frame. But the country lacks a 112 system and the media are not actively involved in

the dissemination of warnings or disaster management generally.

Early warning is still understood as warning about an imminent disaster and long-term risk

monitoring to identify developing trends and provide early warning information to national

authorities is missing. It is critical to improve the organizational framework for Early Warning by

promoting the capacity of the hydro-meteorological sector12 (for example through the use of

modern forecasting technology including numerical weather prediction products).

Capacity Development

Awareness Raising Public and organisation awareness of specific risks and community participation in planning and

response have been encouraged through the production of leaflets, posters, hazard maps and other

educational materials, and the presentation of information through media, public meetings and

work in schools and organisations. Such activities are coordinated by the Directorate for Civil

Emergency Planning and may draw on the capacities of working groups and the support of key

stakeholders such as local level administration, education services, media, and the Police. Technical

institutes, such as the Seismological Institute and the hydro-meteorological sector, have a central

role in the production of hazard maps. Using appropriate language and approaches, the targeted

groups are the general public, including more vulnerable groups such as women, children, etc,

teachers, leaders at Qark, Commune and Municipality levels, community planners, identified urban

community groups, rural families and village communities, government departments with key roles

in civil emergency matters, key officials and decision makers in public and in private sector,

volunteer, non profit and non-governmental organisations, diplomatic and donor community. The

Albanian Red Cross has organised periodic national campaigns on disaster awareness issues,

including health issues and volunteering, and leaflets prepared by the Institute of Public Health on

disaster prevention and preparedness have been distributed to the population. But these attempts

to reach communities and to spread information on DRR measures are sporadic and usually not

systematized.

12

(see Appendix 2)

16

Disaster risk concerns are not covered by the education curricula at high school level. Only the

military education system organises regular lectures on DRR. Some attempts have been made to

integrate disaster preparedness and environmental awareness in schools, via optional modules on

disasters or community work, but these stay rather marginal. At the university level, there are no

specific training programs to form seismologists and hydrologists.

Training According to the Law on Civil Emergencies (Article 8.5) the Ministry of Interior is tasked to elaborate

educational and training programmes in the area of protection against natural and other disasters.

In fulfilling these requirements over recent years, the Ministry of Interior has designed and

implemented the National Civil Emergency Training Curriculum, comprised of eight training

manuals 13 containing national and international civil emergency standards and guidelines,

undertaken training activities and organised conferences at the national and regional level.

Institutions who design and hold training and simulation activities on specific issues relevant to civil

emergency management, are obliged to inform and coordinate their activities with the Civil

Emergency System Service.

The Directorate for Civil Emergencies has a national training centre, the Albanian Red Cross is active

through its 4 training centres for volunteers and the Department of Civil Emergency Planning and

Response regularly conducts training courses for fire brigades at the Fire Brigade Training Centre in

Tirana. Through the Training of Trainers initiative, Albania now has its own core group of civil

emergency trainers. They have increased the capacities and confidence related to the design and

organisation of training activities for different target groups at both the national and local level.

However, to make a real contribution to the strengthening of DRR in Albania, training should be

expanded to cover more DRR issues and actions and include those in both government and the

private sector with defined DRR responsibilities. One possibility amongst others would be a more

efficient use of the Fire Brigade Training Centre to promote training in DRR programming involving

all stakeholders from national and local government personnel to community members.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Prevention and mitigation measures have been undertaken regarding structural design

requirements. Considering the urgent need to revise and update Building Regulations in regard to

the countrys seismicity, the European Commission organized a workshop in November 2006,

entitled Eurocodes: Building the Future in the Euro-Mediterranean Area in collaboration with the

13 The 8 training manuals are the following:

- Fundamentals of Disaster Management in Albania (including a Disaster Management Glossary)

- Disaster Response Planning

- Local Disaster Preparedness and Response

- Disaster Damage and Needs Assessment

- Coordination of Disaster Response Operations

- Disaster Relief Logistics and Distribution

- Disaster Management Trainers Guide

- Design Guide for Emergency Preparedness, Desk-top Simulations and Field Exercises

17

NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. Albania requested financial and technical

support by the EU for the implementation of this set of European design codes for building and civil

engineering works. A programme of seminars and technical publications, aimed at helping

practitioners in the application of the new regulation, was organized. In July 2011, the Albanian

government approved the decision on adopting construction Eurocodes. This will not only bring

Albanian legislation in line with European standards in the field of construction, but also contribute

to improvements in seismic designs, the design rules on building with steel, concrete, timber as well

as geotechnical design and safety in case of fire. For now, the implementation of this project is still

nascent, since adequate training materials for engineers have not yet been developed.

Following the National Civil Emergency plan, line ministries, central institutions, prefects and

councils of qarks, municipalities and communes are in charge of assessing high risk areas and

hazards, according to their field of operation. They should also undertake monitoring measures,

organize early warning systems, inform the public in the areas under their jurisdiction and provide

reports showing preventive and mitigation measures in their respective field of competence. The

National Civil Emergency Plan foresees the establishment of mitigation committees at local and

national level, that are supposed to hold discussions on the risks posed by the greatest specific

hazard in an area, consider the measures to be taken in order to prepare for such an event and

protect people and property against its effects. In reality, however, these mitigation committees are

dysfunctional.

Disaster prevention and mitigation is dealt with in legal documents, but not sufficiently practised. In

fact, prevention and mitigation is mainly conceived in terms of structural measures, land use and

urban planning, when the scope for DRR should be much wider. In the same spirit, risk assessment

needs to be strengthened for targeting purposes, that is, they should include more areas of

vulnerability (socio-economic for example).

Preparedness for Disaster Response In the case of a disaster, the Inter Ministerial Committee appoints a Minister responsible for the

emergency response operations. The Department of Civil Emergency Planning and Response is

responsible for the coordination of disaster response preparedness. The Directorate for Civil

Emergencies will produce a situation analysis, then a response plan and coordinate the response

operations, damage assessment and reconstruction phase. According to the law, one focal point for

emergencies should be established within each ministry. The National Civil Emergency Plan

represents one of the key resources in Albania for preparedness and response. Following the

National Plan, the main prefecture administrations and municipalities have developed their own Civil

Emergency Plans. At the qark level, the prefect is responsible for civil emergency planning and

response, at the level of municipalities and communes, mayor and heads of communes assume this

responsibility. For disaster response, a local commission is established in each municipality and

commune. However, since disaster response capacities at Qark, Municipality and Commune level are

very weak, support from the central government is often needed for any disaster response

operation.

Albania benefits from the stand-by and readiness capacities of several state agencies that may be

made available in the event of a civil emergency situation. These capacities include those under the

18

administration of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Public Works

and Transport, the State Reserve, the Ministry of Health and the Albanian Red Cross. In terms of

contingency planning, the Albanian Red Cross has developed capacities to assist 8,000 people during

one month in case of any disaster. The stand-by capacities may be supplemented by additional state

and private sector capacities, potentially available at the national and local level. Local level

contingency plans record these in much greater and more regularly updated detail.

Seasonal preparedness measures reflect the essentially seasonal risks of heavy rainfall and potential

flooding (October to April), high snowfall (December to February) and forest fires (July and August).

At different periods, Albania has successfully mobilised community capacities to participate in forest

fire protection. Part of this is also a variety of measures aimed at fire prevention, such as public

awareness campaigns and fire fighting preparedness.

During recovery, specialised groups/teams carry out damage and needs assessments of both the

immediate and long-term needs. These assessments serve as a basis for the development of

recovery and development projects and plans. However, recovery is not well defined in the

legislation.

Cross-cutting issues

Gender There are no clear indications of a specific approach to gender issues in Albanias DRR activities. The

specific vulnerability and levels of risk faced by of women in disasters is largely accepted by all DRR

related institutions and organizations, but is not recognised in emergency plans. The absence of

precise reference to gender mainstreaming in DRR can lead to inaccurate risk identification,

assessment and prioritization, inappropriate policy responses and financing of risk at national and

community levels, ineffective DRR interventions designed to minimize risk and vulnerability or

increase coping capacity, or even lead to outcomes that create or exacerbate gender inequalities.

However, womens traditional natural resource knowledge and proactive attitude in preparedness

and response is important for managing disaster risk, adapting to climate change, and framing an

effective recovery process. Building upon the Albanian law, which requires that women represent at

least 50% of the total number of people employed, womens participation in DRR activities should be

further encouraged.

Climate Risk Management Climate change adaptation in Albania is handled by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water

Administration. In 2009, it conducted the second assessment of vulnerability and adaptation options,

which focused on the Drini River Cascade (area from Kuks District to Lezha Plain). The area is very

important for electricity generation since more than 95 % of electrical energy in Albania is produced

from hydro power sources, primarily in the Drini River cascade with a total exploitable capacity of

1.7 GW and a generation potential of 6.8 TWh.

The countrys strategy to mitigate climate change includes measures on reduction of emissions from

waste landfills, land use and forestry, industry, integration of climate change in social, economic and

environmental policies, technology transfer, etc. A set of adaptation options has been identified for

each sector, taking into consideration principles such as prevention of loss, tolerating loss, sharing

19

loss, changing use or activity, changing locations, research and restoration. Despite that, climate

change in Albania still needs a more pro-active attitude from the policy making level. A major

challenge for Albania is to explore the cost-effective synergy between adaptation to climate change

and disaster risk reduction. Additional progress needs to be made in identifying changes in hazard

exposure and risk patterns. The Institute of Energy, Water and Environment requires additional

capacity to produce adequate local scale projections of climate change and climate variability14.

Regional and International Cooperation Albanias Department of Seismology of the Geo-sciences Institute is participating in the project

Harmonization of seismic hazard maps for the Western Balkan Countries launched in 2007 in the

framework of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative of the Stability Pact for South

Eastern Europe with the support of the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. The main

objective of the project is to prepare the ground for joint preparedness and prevention activities in

disaster management among the countries of the region. The process of harmonization of the

earthquake terminology and of the seismic risk maps will improve scientific collaboration between

the project partners and enhance cooperation and coordination in the field of seismic hazard

management.

Recently, bilateral activities have been organised between relevant Albanian Institutions and

counterparts in neighbouring countries. Albania has established bilateral cooperation with the Italian

Government, particularly in respect to DRR training activities. The Italian Government supports the

Military Meteorological Service under the Albanian Ministry of Defence on an ongoing basis; this is

part of the national hydro-metrological service15. Additional memoranda of understanding have

been agreed with Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia and Austria, especially regarding support in

case of large scale disaster response operations.

The World Bank is actively contributing to DRR goals in Albania, not only through the Albanian

Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project16 (under the UN International Strategy for Disaster

Reduction (UN ISDR) supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery17), but

also through the Land Administration and Management Project and the Energy Community of South

East Europe APL Programme (Albanian Dam Safety).

A current national project built between the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water

Administration and UNDP is entitled Identification and Implementation of Adaptation Response

Measures in the Drini-Mati River Deltas. Stretching from May 2008 to May 2012, this project is

funded by the Global Environmental Facility.

Since Albanias disaster risk is similar to that of neighbouring countries, the strengthening of

consultation and networking between neighbouring countries and with international and regional

14

Appendix 2 15

See Appendix 2 16 Overall coordination of this project is done under the Ministry of Interior with a predicted total investment of USD 9.99 Million. The first component of this project is Disaster Risk Management and Preparedness (USD 4.89 million). The second component concerns the strengthening of the hydro-meteorological services (USD 2.09 million). The third component deals with the development of building codes (USD 0.36 million). The fourth component is aimed at catastrophe insurance (USD 2.65 million). The fifth component is the project management. 17

P.64SEE climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaptation

20

institutions should be encouraged. Promising avenues of cooperation would be the establishment of

regional monitoring for hydro-meteorological events, seismic hazards, prevention of infectious

diseases, forest/wild fires, climate change, etc. In order to meet required technological standards,

investment in the technological adaptation of hydro-meteorological monitoring networks is

anticipated as part of the WB adaptation project. Besides, regional cooperation could also be

improved on early warning, in order to develop a new level of coordinated response to large, cross-

border disasters. Past events of this type have demonstrated good cooperation practices between

the relevant countries in the region, paving the way for future improvement, for example through

regional bodies/commissions on assessment, monitoring, data sharing, warnings, etc.

SWOT Analysis Based upon the forgoing analysis, several strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are apparent

for DRR in Albania. These are presented below.

Strengths The country has a legal and policy documentation that provides a framework for future DRR actions.

The 2003 Natural Disaster Risk Assessment Study and the 2004 Vulnerability and Capacity

Assessment Study provide qualitative and quantitative information about the main hazards for the

population, economy and infrastructure. A set of climate change adaptation options for each sector

has been identified, followed by some specific implementation arrangements. The government has

recognised that mechanisms for establishing good DRR practice are needed, although these are not

fully in place yet.

Albania has well established institutions dealing with preparedness, response and recovery at

national and local government levels, as set out by the Civil Emergency National Plan and other

instructive materials, although they would need a revision/update. Various governmental and non-

governmental organizations dispose of stand-by and readiness resources and can provide support in

the case of emergency.

Effective partnerships exist between the main relevant government organizations (like General

Directorate for Civil Emergencies, various Prefecture Administrations, etc.), and the civil society, in

particular the Albanian Red Cross, and cooperation with countries in the region, especially

experience gained during previous major events, is encouraging.

Gaps/Weaknesses One of the main gaps in Albania is the lack of DRR mainstreaming into development plans. The DRR

is not yet integrated into national, communal and sector policies because of the lack of appropriate

mechanisms to drive this agenda. A major challenge will be to integrate DRR requirements into the

development plans of line ministries and local governments via consultation with DRR practitioners

within the own organization itself and experts from the General Directorate for Civil Emergencies.

While there are governance systems, structures and legal provisions in place at national and local

levels, Albanias approach to disaster risk largely focuses on preparedness and response. DRR activity

is present principally on a conceptual basis. Research and monitoring institutions like INEWE,

Department of Seismology in the Institute of Geo-sciences, and other relevant institutions covering

DRR requirements and needs tend to adopt a reactive rather than a proactive attitude.

21

There is a gap between the legal provisions and obligations in overall DRR coordination between the

General Directorate for Civil Emergencies and line ministries/other organizations as well as between

respective implementation partners for preparedness and prevention. Communication between

governing bodies and the local population could also be improved.

At regional level, both disaster monitoring technology and regional coordination on early warning

lack permanent institutionalisation.

Further gaps are the absence of education curricula that would cover DRR or other disaster risk

concerns from the elementary to the high school level, the absence of gender mainstreaming into

DRR practical guidance and activities, the lack of insurance system involvement in DRR and the lack

of an adequate 24/7 early warning system.

Finally, Albanias deficits in DRR include the inadequacy of forecasting techniques, defective

environmental control measures, inadequate training for emergency personnel and population in

prevention/protection measures, inadequate participation of local communities in DRR and

inadequate market mechanisms to help buffer against disasters and the expansion of risks.

Opportunities The prioritization of disaster response by high level decision-makers creates a premise to put other

aspects of DRR among top political agendas. A revision of the Law on Civil Emergencies, National

Plan for Civil Emergencies, and other legal provisions on DRR could provide necessary conditions for

DRR mainstreaming into development plans and activities.

Another opportunity is the World Bank project of Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation plans to

improve, or establish, crucial DRR elements like the insurance systems involvement in DRR, euro-

code adaptation, adequate hydro-meteorological monitoring system, etc.

The National Strategic Development and Integrated Development Plans of Albania could provide

opportunities for a shift in emphasis from preparedness and response to the full range of DRR

actions. A better inclusion of women could also contribute a great deal to moving the focus from

traditional Disaster Management to Disaster Risk Reduction.

The reorganization of relevant research and monitoring institutions could bring them closer to DRR

users. Better regional cooperation in the hydro-meteorological sector and the development of an

integrated early warning system/technology would prove useful.

Albanias Training of Trainers initiative offers the opportunity to develop DRR capacities further.

Moreover, even though volunteerism in general has diminished in recent years, mass survey results

or experiences of previous disasters suggest that most Albanians would be willing to volunteer in the

case of an emergency.

Threats The real threat to DRR in Albania is the ongoing gap between legal provision obligations and

mechanisms for implementation. The heavy focus on disaster response and recovery situations, and

the almost indifferent attitude to disaster preparedness and prevention, should also be addressed. If

DDR needs are always approached in a centralized way, the neglect of communities own capacities

22

could lead to decreasing community capacities. Finally, the lack of governmental financing to ensure

the sustainable development of technical institutes might also impede the development of DRR.

Recommendations Endorsed by the National Policy Dialogue Based on the detailed analysis conducted in the course of development of preliminary findings of the

draft Needs Assessment report, the following recommendations have been suggested for discussion

and endorsement in the course of the DRR National Policy Dialogue in Albania (held on 15-16 July

2010). The recommendations are aligned with the five priorities for action under the Hyogo

Framework for Action, 2005-15, as follows:

1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional

basis for implementation

To improve and strengthen national and local government mechanisms to institutionalise

lessons learned from previous disasters and incorporate them into DRR policy, planning and

programming. Previous experiences of disasters and the response to them reveal and good

knowledge of the disaster potential across the population and establish addressing disaster

risk as a national priority. Capturing these experiences and using them to guide future DRR

policy, planning and programming is an important step in ensuring that DRR is evidence-

based and builds on the foundations of existing knowledge. Such mechanisms will help to

promote and support dialogue, the exchange of information and coordination among

relevant agencies and institutions at all levels with the aim of fostering a unified approach

towards DRR.

To establish a National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. To further support the

Government of Albanias existing and ongoing programme of disaster risk management, the

establishment of a National Platform is proposed to strengthen the profile of DRR and to

ensure that debate across all levels of government, technical agencies such as the hydro-

meteorological, meteorological and the seismological services, civil society, non-

governmental organisations and the private sector is ongoing and contributes actively to

policy-making and planning. The National Platform will allow for the engagement of all

major practitioners and technical specialists as well as representatives of communities and

those affected. It will also promote awareness and coordination among the relevant sectors,

and ultimately support the linking of such awareness and coordination to national planning,

budgeting and implementation of DRR activities.

2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning

To establish and invest in fully operational 24/7 hydro-meteorological services (technical and

human resources) as well as in the seismological sector to support risk assessment and early

warning systems and promote operational monitoring, warning, forecasting and mapping of

meteorological, hydrological and seismological hazards. This will build on the existing

Disaster Risk Assessment and the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment undertaken with

support from the ARC. It is critical to perform comparative analysis of the existing

institutional and legislative arrangements for meteorological, hydrological and seismological

23

services, upgrade and modernise hydro-meteorological and seismological observation

networks, data management and forecasting systems and provide sustainable

organisational, human and technical resources to maintain and operate them. It is also

necessary to strengthen the early warning capacity with a multi-hazard approach and

enhanced cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Civil Emergencies

and other key stakeholders and the National Civil Emergencies Plan, to include contributions

by the hydro-meteorological and seismological services.

To create appropriate mechanisms to increase coordination between the three

meteorological organisations. With three organisations responsible for delivering

meteorological services in Albania (Institute of Environment, Water and Energy (INEWE);

Albanian Air Force Meteorological Service (MWFS); and, Tirana International Airport

Meteorological Service) there is a need to develop an appropriate framework with the legal

basis to ensure that roles and responsibilities in DRR are clearly defined.

To integrate policy, planning and programming in adaptation to climate change with DRR

strategy. The frequency and magnitude of hydrological and meteorological hazards has the

potential to increase due to climate change. It is critical to invest in local scale climate

studies in order to promote adaptation to climate change and to ensure that climate change

adaptation and DRR are integrated into one programme coordinated through the

Directorate for Civil Emergencies and the hydro-meteorological service.

3. Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels

To integrate DRR into the education system in Albania at all levels primary, secondary,

university. Building on existing levels of awareness and expanding understanding to

incorporate the future threats from climate change and other hazards, as well as new

development, it is recommended that the Ministry of Education examines the potential for

integrating DRR as a part of national curricula at all levels, particularly in those areas showing

the highest levels of risk. In addition, universities and other tertiary education institutions

should be encouraged to establish research programmes encompassing different disaster

risks, the results of which should have a natural outlet through the National Platform

To establish a National Training Centre for DRR and Civil Protection practitioners and

community members, using the existing National Fire Brigade Training Centre as a

foundation. The most challenging issue is the building (or, at least, the consolidation) of the

culture of safety and resilience. This requires ongoing, continuous activities aimed at

increasing community capacities, regular integration of DRR into (particularly local)

development plans, training activities and simulation exercises for all levels, and, most

importantly, greater potential for creating the potential for the development of the capacity

of women as powerful agents of the transmission of the culture of safety and resilience to

the younger generation. The establishment of a National Training Centre for DRR would

support this ambitious agenda and assist the process of strengthening capacities within the

many stakeholders.

4. Reduce the underlying risk factors

24

To systematically integrate measures aimed at reducing disaster risks into policies, plans and

programmes for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Supported through bilateral, regional and international cooperation and partnerships,

sustainable development, poverty reduction, good governance and disaster risk reduction

are mutually compatible objectives and strategies, and in order to meet the challenges

ahead, accelerated efforts must be made to mainstream and integrate disaster risk

reduction into development and governmental and sectoral strategies. Furthermore, efforts

must be made to build the necessary capacities at all levels of institutional organization in

Albania to manage and reduce risk. Such harmonization of mutually compatible objectives

can help to counter the negative effects of increased population, unsustainable

development practices, degradation of natural resources, the increasing exposure of the

poor to disaster risks, ineffective forecasting, defective environmental control measures,

inadequate capacity development and lack of appropriate market mechanisms, all of which

are amplified if disaster risk is not addressed effectively as an integral component of the

implementation of development.

To support the development of studies and research around the reduction of specific risk

factors that affect Albania. Although the major hazards that affect Albania are well known,

far less is known about the detailed effects of these hazards, the vulnerabilities that are

constructed in the face of these hazards and the capacities that are necessary to address

them. Again, through the auspices of the National Platform for DRR, the results of studies

and research can be examined and recommended for inclusion in development planning.

In the context of reducing overall risks, and with consideration for increasing climate

associated, seismic and geological associated risks, to develop national capacities for climate

(hydrological and meteorological) and geological (including seismological) services to

support medium and long-term sectoral planing, as a critical aspect of disaster risk

reduction. Enhanced investments are needed in climate data rescue, climate and geological

modeling, forecasting and analysis to support sectoral planning in at-risk sectors.

Development of these capacities would require a strong collaboration and coordination

across many ministeries and with the meteorological, hydrological and geological services, as

well as enhanced regional cooperation in this area with other South East European and EU

countries.

To improve networking with international organisations/institutions present in the region

and to promote the increased involvement of such organisations in the strengthening of DRR

in Albania.

To enhance regional and international cooperation for the purpose of exchanging

observation data, knowledge, technology and expertise regarding DRR, to share research

findings, lessons learnt and best practice, participation in joint trainings and workshops all of

which would contribute to enhancing the ability of Government of Albania to strengthen its

DRR programme, raise overall awareness and improve capacity development measures.

25

5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels

To strengthen disaster preparedness for effective emergency response at all levels and to

promote disaster prevention. First, ensure that emergency response plans are targeted to

the individual needs of the vulnerable communities, authorities and emergency responders.

Second, establish guidelines for systematic development of contingency plans at all levels

that are backed by the requisite human, material and funding resources. Lastly, harmonise

standard operating procedures governing response to emergencies and standardize

terminology and capacity development taking into account roles and responsibilities in

emergency response.

To strengthen awareness about the importance of preparedness. Promote the engagement

of the media in order to stimulate a culture of preparedness and strong community

involvement through sustained public education campaigns and public consultations at all

levels of society.

To increase the involvement of the private sector in activities aimed at DRR with special

emphasis placed on insurance companies for the purpose of building on achievements

already made in promoting public private partnerships (PPP) to better engage the private

sector in DRR activities. This can be done by encouraging the private sector to place greater

emphasis on and allocate more resources to pre-disaster activities, such as risk assessments

and early warning systems and through the promotion of the development of financial risk-

sharing mechanisms, particularly insurance and reinsurance against disasters.

To strengthen regional and international links to support more effective fire risk

preparedness and prevention. During the last two decades the occurrence of forest fires in

Albania and across the region as a whole has increased in number and also in the size of the

area affected, the main causes being human negligence and pasture burning. Preparedness

to reduce forest fire impacts includes the creation of coordination mechanisms between the

forestry administration, local authorities, hydro-meteorological services and the population,

as well as civil emergency authorities (particularly fire fighters). Regional cooperation in

addressing the fire risk should be strongly promoted as there is an increasing fire risk

throughout the region. Existing regional cooperation can serve as a good basis for such

developments.

To increase the use of simulation exercises (including table-top exercises) as a regular

feature of emergency response and preparedness training. Increasing and cumulative

experience of disasters allows for the understanding and lessons learned to be used in

practising response and preparedness procedures through all types of simulation exercises

either in field situations or the classroom.

26

Bibliography Natural Risks Assessment of Albania

Civil Emergency Law

National Plan for Civil Emergencies

Albania Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project of World Bank

Law on Albania State Police

Law on Urban Planning

Law on Albanian Red Cross

ARC Report on Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment

Albanias Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

27

Annex 1: South East Europe Disaster Risk Management Initiative In 2007, the World Bank, together with European National Platforms for DRR and HFA Focal Points

and in partnership with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and others, initiated the

South East Europe Disaster Risk Management Initiative (SEEDRMI), including the development and

upgrading of hydro-meteorological information and the flood forecasting system for the Sava River

Basin. Also in 2007 the World Bank, the WMO and the United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP), with support from the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)

Secretariat, initiated the South Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme

(SEEDRMAP). This programme is aimed at the development and/or strengthening of national

capacities in this region in line with three components: (i) disaster risk management, institutional

capacities and governance; (ii) hydrometeorological services; and, (iii) financial risk transfer

mechanisms to assist countries in reducing risks associated with natural hazards. Beneficiary

countries of this initiative include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo (as defined by

UNSCR 1244/99), Slovenia and Turkey. During the first phase of the programme, fact finding surveys

and desk studies were performed in order to obtain the information required for the development of

relevant projects; the results of these analyses have been published in a number of reports.18 Based

on these results and consultations with the countries, WMO and UNDP developed, in parallel, two

complementary proposals that were funded by the European Commission (EC) Directorate General

for Enlargement.19 These EU funded projects, initiated in March 2009, cover Albania, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (as

defined by UNSCR 1244/99) and Turkey.

The overall objective of the UNDP Proposal Activity 1 Regional Programme on Disaster Risk

Reduction in South East Europe is to reduce the risk of disasters associated with natural hazards in

the Western Balkans and Turkey, in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action, by building the

capacity of national and local authorities to promote a coordinated approach to DRR. The specific

objective is to increase the level of regional DRR cooperation in South East Europe and to promote

the harmonisation of Disaster Risk Reduction methodologies, plans and strategies in order to pave

the way for the eventual preparation of a harmonised and mutually accepted regional Disaster Risk

Reduction strategy.

The activities of the UNDP activity place special emphasis on strengthening the existing DRR

capacities of the eight IPA beneficiaries, particularly the enhancement of the Disaster Preparedness

and Prevention Initiative for South East Europe (DPPI SEE). The UNDP project/programme is largely

funded by the European Union, with a ten percent contribution from the UNDP Bureau for Crisis

Prevention and Recovery (UNDP BCPR) and the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS

(RBEC).

18

Risk Assessment for South Eastern Europe Desk Study Review, 2008; Strengthening the Hydro-meteorological Services in South Eastern Europe, 2008; Mitigating the Adverse Financial Effects of Natural Hazards on the Economies of South Eastern Europe, 2008; The Structure, Role and Mandate of Civil Protection in Disaster Risk Reduction for South Eastern Europe, 2008. 19

Activity 1: Building Capacity in Disaster Risk Reduction through Regional Cooperation and Collaboration in South East Europe (UNDP); Activity 2: Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe for Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Date Management and Exchange to Support Disaster Risk Reduction (WMO).

28

The overall objective of the WMO Proposal Activity 2 Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe

for Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Data Management and Exchange to Support Disaster

Risk Reduction Project is to reduce the vulnerability of South Eastern Europe to natural hazards and

address the loss of life, property and economic productivity caused by extreme weather and other

natural hazards. The specific objectives are two-fold:

Improve the basic systems for hydrometeorological forecasting and data sharing that underpins the

early warning systems for weather and climate related hazards and extreme events; and,

Improve the capacity (technical, human and institutional) of the national meteorological and

hydrological services (NMHS) in SEE to acquire, assimilate, exchange and disseminate data and

information on a range of hydrometeorological hazards and extreme weather and climatic events.

This is a first step towards an effective risk management system involving risk assessment, risk

reduction, and risk transfer to reduce the impact of natural hazards on lives and livelihoods. This

process will include all stakeholders with Disaster Risk Reduction mandates and competencies.

29

Annex 2 - List of Respondents

Institution Status First name Last

name

Phone

number e-mail address

1.1

General

Directorate of

Civil Emergencies

Director of Civil

Emergency

Planning and

Coordination

Sali Kelmendi +355 69

4109083

1.2

General

Directorate of

Civil Emergencies

Head of Civil

Emergency

Planning Sector

Bujar Kapllani + 355 68

2061258

2

Ministry of Public

Works and

Transportation

Civil Emergency

Designated

Officer

Vasil Premi + 355 68

2424800

3 Ministry of

Health Gazmend Bejtja

+ 355 69

2033471

3.1 Ministry of

Health

Civil Emergency

Designated

Officer

Thanas Bello + 355 69

2170972

4

Ministry of

Economy, Trade

and Energy

Thoma Rush + 355 68

2638971

5 Tirana

Municipality

Civil Emergency

Designated

Officer

Ruzhdi Baxhaku + 355 69

2066065

6 WHO Office in

Albania

Emergency

Programme

Coordinator

Adrian Xinxo + 355 69

2089174

7 Albanian Red

Cross

Secretary

General Zamir Mua

7.1 Albanian Red

Cross

Disaster

Programme

Coordinator

Fatos Xhengo

8 Albanian Air

Force

Deputy Chief of

meteorological

Service

Gentian Bregu + 355 69

2150678

9 World Bank Local

office in Albania

Al-DRMAP

Manager Drita Dade

+ 355 4

2240540

10 Tirana

Politechnic Deprtment of Agim Selenica + 355 69

30

University,

Fakulty of Civil

Engineering

Hydrotechnic .2433879

11 Ministry of Education

Civil Emergency

Designated

officer

12 Institute of Environment, Water and Energy

Director Marenglen Gjonaj + 355 68

2011051

14

Ministry of

Agriculture, Food

and Consumer

Protection

Head of Water

Management

Sector

Niko Kurila nikokurila@yahoo.com

31

Annex 3: Hazard Maps

KORCEKORCE

GJIROKASTERGJIROKASTER

ELBASANELBASAN

DIBERDIBER

BERATBERAT

KUKESKUKES

TIRANETIRANE

LEZHELEZHE

SHKODERSHKODER

VLOREVLORE

DURRESDURRES

FIERFIER

PREFECTURE (12)

DISTRICT (36)

COMMUNE AND

MUNICIPALITY (374)

Administrative Division of Albania

32

KORCAKORCAKORCAKORCAKO