Emergency Flood Response in Albania: 1,800 People Supported in Durrës
In the first days of January 2026, heavy floods affected several areas across Albania. While many communities were impacted, World Vision Albania responded to support the most affected families in Durrës, where homes and livelihoods were severely damaged by the floodwaters.
Entire neighbourhoods were inundated, with households losing essential belongings and struggling to meet basic needs in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
“I have lost a lifetime’s investment,” says one of the affected residents. “Our household furniture, electrical appliances, our food, and even food for our animals were damaged. Everything.”
According to official authorities, the floods affected approximately 2,500 families in Durrës and surrounding areas, causing widespread damage to homes, household assets, and livelihoods. Floods are among the most frequent natural hazards in Albania, particularly affecting low-lying and coastal areas.
Rapid emergency response to meet urgent needs
Following the floods, World Vision Albania initiated a rapid emergency response to support the most affected families in the areas of Katundi i Ri and Sukth, within the municipality of Durrës. Emergency needs assessments were conducted on the ground, enabling a timely and targeted intervention.
As part of this rapid emergency response, and with support from the Start Fund, World Vision Albania led the design, coordination, and joint implementation of the intervention, ensuring that life-saving assistance reached affected families during the first critical days following the floods.
As part of the response, more than 400 families, approximately 1,800 people, received emergency assistance, including food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets, heaters, and other essential household items. The intervention prioritised families with children, older people, persons with disabilities, and households whose homes had been severely damaged by floodwaters.
Start Fund support enables timely humanitarian action
This emergency response was made possible through the activation of the Start Fund, a global humanitarian financing mechanism designed to enable rapid, flexible funding during the first critical days of a crisis.
Start Fund support enabled swift action on the ground, allowing World Vision Albania and its partners to respond quickly to urgent needs and reduce the risk of further deterioration of living conditions among affected families.
Joint implementation through strong partnerships
The response was jointly implemented by World Vision Albania, Save the Children Albania, and Islamic Relief Albania, with all partners actively present on the ground and directly involved in needs assessments and the delivery of emergency assistance to affected households.
The intervention was carried out in close cooperation with local and national authorities, including the Municipality of Durrës, the National Agency for Civil Protection, and the State Police, in line with national emergency response mechanisms.
Emergency response ongoing
The emergency response is ongoing. Over the next few days, affected families will continue to receive additional essential items, including cooking stoves and mattresses, to help address remaining urgent needs and improve living conditions during the early recovery phase.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, the response aims to support the dignity of affected families and provide basic stability as they begin to recover from the impacts of the floods.
World Vision Albania and its partners remain committed to supporting vulnerable communities affected by emergencies, while continuing to strengthen preparedness and resilience to future shocks.
By Alfons Çupaj, PR and Communications Adviser, World Vision Albania
