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TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ The General Director of the National Civil Protection Agency, Haki Çako, said in an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that, “The civil protection projects at the local level and strategies for mitigating the risk of natural disasters are focused on the strengthening of local capacities to handle emergencies through preventive infrastructure and enhancement of the response capabilities of local units.”
These projects, he emphasized for ATA, “play a key role in strengthening preventive capacities and improving disaster response, by providing the necessary tools and infrastructure to manage emergency situations.”
Financial support and central coordination
According to Çako, “The fund allocated for civil protection projects will be determined by the Ministry of Finance, based on the necessary financial assessments to support the projects proposed by local units.”
The National Civil Protection Agency, he emphasized, “has a coordinating, guiding, and supervisory role in all phases of project development, providing technical instructions and managing financial support for their effective implementation, in accordance with legal provisions.”
Challenges and cooperation at the local level
“Local units cope with numerous challenges, including scarce funding, limited technical and logistical capacities, as well as the need for continuous training for staff,” added Çako.
He emphasized that, “at the local level, awareness and information campaigns are carried out, such as on International Day for Disaster Risk Mitigation on October 13, involving citizens in awareness-raising activities.”
Çako stated that, “local units are increasing their capacities to manage emergency situations such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, through training and investments in modern equipment.”
He also added, “The Agency organizes tailored training sessions, such as the recent exercise in Dibër on disaster preparedness during the winter, which strengthens the local staff’s capabilities to manage emergencies.”
“New technologies, such as monitoring and early warning systems, are being used to improve quick and effective responses to emergency situations,” emphasized the head of the National Civil Protection Agency.
“The Agency provides conditional grants and logistical support for civil emergencies, the prevention of natural disasters, and the rehabilitation of dams, in accordance with the budgets allocated each year,” he said.
Çako emphasized that, “local units are increasing their human and logistical capacities by conducting training and investing in modern equipment that helps in the effective management of emergencies.”
He also added that, “various training sessions are being carried out, such as the recent table-top exercise in Dibër for managing disasters during the winter, which strengthens the skills and preparedness of local units.”
Çako stated that, “from 2021 to 2024, a total of 95 projects have been implemented, valued at approximately 3.65 billion lek, contributing to the improvement of infrastructure and strengthening the response capacities of local units.”
/j.p/sm/
