Albanian northwest areas struggling with the worst flooding in decades

Neighbouring countries including Macedonia and Serbia are also struggling with the flooding and heavy rains. Rivers from these countries also drain into Shkodra, increasing the risk of additional flooding. The extra rainfall has also forced the government to open the flood gates of the hydroelectric stations.

Some areas are only accessible by military helicopters, which are rescuing people in remote areas.

Four areas of Shkodra served by World Vision’s Shkodra Area Development Programme have been heavily affected, and many of the families World Vision works with in the area are in desperate need of food, water, and other basic necessities.

In response to the flooding, the Albanian military and other government structures have been activated to offer emergency relief in Shkodra, including evacuation assistance and aid distribution. Children and women were the first to be evacuated and sent to stay at churches, dormitories or with relatives in safer areas.

In collaboration with church and other partners in Shkodra, World Vision has started a preliminary response by providing food and water and ensuring children are being cared for. World Vision’s emergency coordinator is evaluating the long term situation and has started planning for an appropriate long term response.

“We have negotiated with the government and with the local structures on how to collaborate with them and to decide in which neighborhoods to provide water, food and other basic needs,” said Edmond Qokaj, HEA Coordinator. “We are also negotiating and finding opportunities to open Child Friendly Spaces for the displaced children in dormitories and other different places.”

World Vision started its programmes in Albania in April 1999 in response to the Kosovo refugee crisis, working in the capital, Tirana, as well as in the cities of Saranda, Elbasan, and Vlora.

Today World Vision Albania assists children, their families and communities through ten Area Development Programmes (ADPs) in Lezha, Vlora, two in Elbasan, Kurbin, Tirana, Shkodra, Dibra, Korca, and Librazhd, as well as through its microfinance organisation, VisionFund Albania, which took over the former microfinance institution, ‘Building Futures’ in January 2010.