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Albania is a disaster-prone country. The four main hazards affecting the country are earthquakes, floods, forest fires and landslides. The International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) shows that, during 1979-2019, floods accounted for the major share of disaster events (38%), followed by earthquakes (15%). According to the annual World Risk Report (BEH-IFHV, 2020), which calculates the Disaster Risk Index due to earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts and sea-level rise for 181 countries in the world based on exposure and vulnerability (susceptibility, and coping and adaptive capacities), Albania has a high-risk index and ranks first in Europe and 60st in the world.
In Albania, the wildfire hazard is classified as high, which means that there’s greater than a 50% chance of encountering weather that could support a significant wildfire that is likely to result in both life and property loss in any given year. The damages from wildfires can not only occur due to direct flame and radiation exposure but may also include ember storm and low-level surface fire. In extreme fire weather events, strong winds and wind born debris may weaken the integrity of infrastructure.
Modeled projections of future climate identify a likely increase in the frequency of fire weather occurrence in the country, including an increase in temperature and greater variance in rainfall. In areas already affected by wildfire hazard, the fire season is likely to increase in duration, and include a greater number of days with weather that could support fire spread because of longer periods without rain during fire seasons. Climate projections indicate that there could also be an increase in the severity of fire.
The climate change effects have increased the number and the intensity of fires in Albania. For, example, during 2006-2007 there were 352 major fires that burned throughout Albanian parks and forests, burning entire ecosystems and pastures. The fires were attributed to higher temperature in summer, prolonged droughts and earlier melting of snow on the mountain caps. Also, since mid-July 2021 Albania territory is affected by heat wave with temperature which reached up to 43 degrees in Kucove. Because of this high temperature and some man-made behaviors (shapers burning grass, people throwing flaming cigarettes while passing near forests, burning straw, etc.), fires spread in different areas of the country. According to the official data from the Civil Emergency Agency, the fires have spread from north to south, including forests, pastures and private property in 12 municipalities: Shkodra, Lezha, Puka, Elbasan, Fier, Skrapar, Durres, Tirane, Vlore, Gjirokaster, Permet and Sarande.
The occurrence of different types of natural hazards impacts the society, economy and environment in the country, deteriorating country risk profile. Increased vulnerability follows increased physical exposure of people and assets. Higher levels of exposure are a result of many factors including inadequate territorial and land use planning, a lack of integration of disaster risk criteria into development planning generally and at all levels, and a lack of compliance with existent safety norms and standards.
RESEAL project, intends to support the efforts of the Government of Albania for improving the disaster risk management (DRM) system in the country. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen Albania’s DRM system and support country’s efforts in becoming a fully-fledged member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The project is in line with promoting the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) and is developed based on the Albania’s earthquake PDNA recommendations. Also, in light of the severe and acute public health emergency due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, measures related to risk preparedness and risk mitigation of biological hazards will be provided.
The project is built upon the results of an ongoing two-tier UNDP pilots i) National DRR Capacity Assessment and ii) pilot intervention in Lezha Municipality.
At central level, the findings of the DRR Capacity Assessment would facilitate the process of strengthening DRM policy framework through drafting of the National DRR Platform for DRR and the National DRR Strategy and its Action Plan. During the capacity assessment a parallel process focused on preparedness and response capacities related to management of biological hazards as a national and community priority. It has been recognized as part of the Sendai Framework and is globally addressed under the International Health Regulations. Civil Emergency Plans will be developed based on disaster risk reduction strategies, disaster risk assessment documents, civil protection capacities, new expert findings, as well as experiences gained in disaster management. At the institutional level, the project supports institutional strengthening of the Civil Protection Agency (NCPA), whereas for creating an enabling framework for DRR, the project will further support membership to EUCPM.
Therefore, UNDP is seeking for qualified expertise to continue and expand its work in the area of DRR at national level and ensure the continuity and coherence through building upon the results and progress made in 2021. In this respect, the services of a Local Expert on Wildfires Risk Assessment are highly demanded for the continuation.