TIRANA, Feb. 19 – Financial and material aid for victims of the recent floods in southern Albania has begun to arrive from donors across the world.
European Union Ambassador to Tirana Romana Vlahutin on Tuesday visited Darëzeza village in Fier where emergency assistance from the EU Member States of Austria, Slovakia and Croatia was being distributed.
Belgium also offered assistance, according to a cabinet minister visiting Tirana on same day.
Vlahutin said that following Albania’s request last week, European institutions in charge of such assistance immediately mobilized the European Civil Protection Mechanism and deployed the European Union Civil Protection Team which is now coordinating the assistance coming from the participating states.
“A post-disaster needs assessment will be carried out in order to establish a recovery program,” Vlahutin said.
Vlahutin also said that the Albanian response to the emergency was adequate and that additional efforts are necessary in terms of an early warning and coordination system.
Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi thanked the European Union and the European Civil Protection Mechanism “for a swift and professional response done with solidarity.
“This is only the beginning of a programmatic approach that will bring structural changes,” he added.
The European Commission announced additional support to cover the needs of the people affected by the floods in Albania, with a funding of 118,000 euros to respond to the needs of around 8,000 people in the most affected areas through the Albanian Red Cross.
The aid consists of generators, family tents, beds, blankets and winter coats. Belgium has also joined the assistance providing in-kind help.
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said that, “When a disaster strikes, an immediate, coordinated and pre-planned response is essential. This is an example of European solidarity put into practice.”
In response to a request for assistance from the government of Albania, the U.S. Embassy, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), also offered $750,000 in additional technical and financial assistance for those in agricultural areas who have been affected by the recent flooding.
They will work closely with local authorities and Albanian non-governmental organizations in the recovery effort, and we will support affected farmers in the fruit and olive industries, as well as those who lost greenhouses and livestock to the recent floodwaters.
USAID has traveled to most of the affected areas and maintained close contact with national and local authorities and affected farmers throughout this difficult period to look at the best possible ways to help.
Other countries, ranging from Turkey to Japan, have offered assistance
