Two planes from the fleet of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism help against fires in southern Albania
High temperatures have recently affected Albania, favoring fire outbreaks in several regions, with the most problematic being in the Finiq area in the south of the country.
For five days, a large-scale fire engulfed a difficult mountainous area between Malçan and Grazhdan, in the territory of the Municipality of Finiq.
After several days of efforts by the Albanian Civil Emergencies, the fire was brought under control with the intervention of two planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Thus, the EU’s emergency reserve was activated while two firefighting planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism stationed in Greece helped extinguish a fire that affected the municipality of Finiq, near the Greek border.
Last year, planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism were also crucial in extinguishing the powerful fire that engulfed several areas in Dropull and Finiq.
Albania officially became a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in November 2022, a mechanism that has assisted in several situations since this year.
Last year, the massive fires that affected the country required the assistance of the European Civil Emergency Mechanism.
This mechanism forms the foundation of the EU’s disaster risk management system.
For Albania, participation in the mechanism is considered a major step in strengthening regional cooperation for disaster management.
As a full member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Albania is not only able to receive immediate support but can also send aid to countries affected by a disaster through the Mechanism, leading to a stronger and more coordinated response to crises in Europe and the rest of the world.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between EU countries and 8 participating states (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and recently Albania) for civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters. (July 7)
