Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 12-06-2010
Beginning on November 25, heavy rains in northern Albania caused severe flooding in the Shkoder and Lezhe regions and the floodplain between Lezhe and the Adriatic Sea. On December 6, large dams in the north were releasing water at average rates of nearly 1,500 cubic meters per second, resulting in additional flooding downstream. As of December 6, floods and mudslides had reached the cities of Fushe-Kruja and Derven in Kruja District, Durres Region. According to the Government of Albania (GoA), floodwaters covered approximately 34,500 acres of land and isolated or damaged more than 7,200 houses, leading to the evacuation of approximately 14,500 residents, mainly in the country’s north. In addition, floods damaged roads, bridges, and water and power infrastructure. On December 6, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana reported that the GoA had declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance.
On December 6, U.S. Ambassador Alexander A. Arvizu declared a disaster due to the effects of flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Albania to the Albanian Red Cross for emergency relief supplies, such as blankets and hygiene kits.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 01-13-2010
In January 2010, heavy rains and melting snow caused flooding in the Shkoder and Lezha regions of northern Albania. Floodwaters submerged or isolated nearly 2,500 houses and led to the evacuation of more than 5,300 individuals, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). A landslide closed a road in the affected area, and roads, bridges, water supply, and agriculture infrastructure sustained damage. An estimated 6,000 people in the flood-affected areas refused to evacuate and abandon livestock; as a result, authorities forced evacuations in some areas, according to local news sources. As of January 13, water continued to rise in affected areas, and additional rain and snow were expected through the spring.
On January 13, U.S. Ambassador to Albania John L. Withers II issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Albania to the Albanian Red Cross for the purchase and distribution of blankets, food, hygiene kits, and other emergency relief supplies to affected populations.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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