Ambassadors visit Shkodra to closely monitor current developments

SHKODRA, Jan. 17 – Spanish ambassador Manuel Montobbio, on behalf of the EU Presidency, and EC Ambassador Helmuth Lohan accompanied President Bamir Topi last week to the Shkodra region.
The European Union showed its solidarity to those affected by the floods in Northwest Albania through the quick deployment of expertise and aid.
The United States Ambassador John Withers was also with them.
They visited the villages of Obot and Ana e Malit, along with the Ajas쭠neighbourhood to learn first hand about the current situation and how aid is being delivered and coordinated.
Ambassador Lohan also visited the government’s Operations Centre in Shkodra Prefecture. Minister of Interior Basha and Ambassador Lohan discussed questions of deploying and co-ordinating relief assistance under the Community Civil Protection Mechanism.
“We in Europe feel close to you. During these days the EU solidarity has taken the form of goods, equipments and personnel, which I am sure you are making good use of today and in the future. European Union solidarity will not end today but extend beyond the emergency
phase,” said Lohan.
“The hand of EU has been very helpful”, declared Minister Basha in front of the local media, adding that on behalf of the Albanian government he would like to thank the European Union for the quick reaction to the flood crisis by sending aid and expertise through the MIC team.
Very soon after the request of the Albanian government, the European Commission activated the Community Civil Protection Mechanism through which a team of seven experts has been immediately deployed in the country and is currently assisting the Albanian government with the assessment of relief needs and the co ordination of incoming assistance. The first assistance items from EU Member States have already arrived.
The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) is operated by the Environment Directorate General of the European Commission. It is the operational heart of the Community Mechanism for Civil Protection. During emergencies the MIC plays three important roles: serving as a communications hub for the exchange of requests and offers of assistance; providing information on civil protection preparedness and response to participating states as well as a wider audience of interested stakeholders; supporting co-ordination of the provision of European assistance.
The Team deployed to Albania has visited the region affected by the floods in order to assess the situation on the ground. The Team also assists Albania with the reception of assistance by EU Member States.