Albania |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Munitions Explosions, Wildfires
OFDA Response:
Emergency Relief Supplies, Firefighting Support
Latest OFDA Report:
Southeast Europe Wildfires Fact Sheet #1 (71kb PDF) and map
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Munitions Explosions, 03-21-2008
On March 15 and 16, a series of explosions at an Albanian military ammunition storage facility in Gerdec, 10 miles southeast of Tirana, killed 21 people and injured 250 others. According to the Government of Albania (GOA), the accidental explosions destroyed or damaged more than 4,000 houses and numerous public buildings, including schools, health centers, and small businesses. The damage also extended to water and power infrastructure in the affected areas. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the explosions affected approximately 10,000 people, including the 4,000 residents of three nearby villages who fled their homes following the blasts. The GOA declared a state of emergency for Gerdec and surrounding areas and set up emergency commissions to respond.
On March 21, 2008, U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II declared a disaster due to the impact of the explosions on the surrounding populations. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to meet the immediate needs of Albanians affected by the explosions.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Wildfires, 07-27-2007
In July 2007, Albania faced severe forest fires as a result of the high temperatures and dry conditions in southeastern Europe.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, wildfires were active in 21 out of the country’s 36 districts. The most serious fires were located
in Kolonja, Vlora, Puka, and Tropoja districts. The fires destroyed 15 homes, consumed firefighting equipment, and ravaged more than 2,000 hectares
of forest land. Wildfires also threatened additional residential and forest areas, and widespread smoke caused health issues, particularly in women and children.
To combat the fires, the Government of Albania (GOA) mobilized all available military, police, firefighter, and forest service personnel.
On July 27, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Stephen Cristina declared a disaster due to the loss of property and livelihoods and potential loss of life
as a result of the wildfires. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Albania to assist the GOA in combating the wildfires.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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