ALBANIA - FLOODING UPDATE JANUARY 13

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000027 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE PASS TO USAID FOR SSTAJKA; DCHA/OFDA FOR USAID/OFDA ACONVERY, RANDREW, SBALLOU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID SENV SOCI PHUM AL SUBJECT: ALBANIA - FLOODING UPDATE JANUARY 13 TIRANA 00000027 001.2 OF 002 OVERALL SITUATION -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Over the last 24 hours flooding from both the Drin and Buna rivers in northern Albania receded slightly. Water levels in the three dams in the region improved. The level at Fierze, the largest dam, has receded to 290.2 meters (the maximum allowable level is 296m); at Koman it has receded to 170.2m (maximum allowable is 175m); and at Vau i Dejes it is 74.2m (maximum - 76m). Flooding in outlying neighborhoods of Shkoder due to water backup in the Buna river decreased slightly due to reduced rainfall and efforts to drain the neighborhoods. The Shkoder-Tirana road is currently open. Floodwater levels in the floodplains outside Shkoder, however, remain constant. While officials have warned that flooding has affected the water system in flooded areas, Shkoder city officials told the Embassy that drinking water in Shkoder remains unaffected, and officials have added extra chlorine to the water as a precaution. Rain is forecast for the rest of the week. 2,589 houses are reported as being flooded at some level, affecting approximately 11,000 people. Albanian experts have estimated the damage at 9.1 billion lek (USD 92 million). Additionally, the bridge across the Drin River near the Fierze Dam is significantly damaged and not passable. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Although evacuation efforts continue, government focus has also turned to distribution of aid to affected areas. Two Italian CH-47 helicopters, 39 Greek firefighters and 14 Kosovo Security Force Officers have assisted the Albanian Armed Forces Logistic Brigade and state and local police to deliver 40 tons of aid to affected areas to date. To date, 5,352 people have been evacuated. Others have preferred to remain in their houses to date despite government calls to evacuate. With the slight receding of Buna floodwaters, there are reports that some residents have returned to their homes in outlying neighborhoods of Shkoder. Approximately 4,500 evacuees have relocated to relatives' homes, while the rest are being sheltered in government-provided facilities. The Albanian Red Cross announced that starting today it will provide food and non-food aid to 2,200 families, approximately 5,000 people, in the affected areas for a period of one month. The UN and the Government of Albania have signed an agreement for the provision of a $240,000 emergency cash grant to support the affected population. ¶3. (SBU) Prime Minister Berisha called all government ministers to an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting in Shkoder today to assess the situation and the government's response. According to media, at the meeting, Berisha praised the government's response to date, noting the fact that there have been no victims to date. He charged the government to develop a rehabilitation plan for the region, including the river dikes. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Several NATO allies have provided immediate assistance (water pumps, mobile generators),while others are assessing longer-term needs. As of this morning, the following pledges have been made: - Italy - 2 cargo helicopters; one civilian helicopter; approximately 250,000 euros of other humanitarian aid such as tents, blankets, food; commercial satellite imagery to monitor water levels in rivers and flood plain; one dam expert; generators; - Slovenia - 13 mobile power generators; - Austria - 8 mobile power generators and 5 water pumps; - France - 11 water pumps; - Greece has sent 29 fire fighters, 4 vehicles, 2 rescue boats and 22 water pumps; 3.6 tons of food; - Moldova - Announced willingness to contribute 50 tons worth of food, medicine and water pumps, but it requires airlift assistance to transport it to Albania; - EU - Emergency expert assessment team; - Kosovo - 14-person search and rescue team; four boats; three-person medical team; 200,000 euros has been allocated for relief efforts; - Germany, Switzerland, UK, Croatia, Spain, Hungary, Netherlands are all assessing long-term GOA needs. TIRANA 00000027 002.2 OF 002 U.S. ACTIONS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador met with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ilir Meta this morning. Meta said he was pleased with the USG's support. He assessed the overall situation in Shkoder as very serious, but also said that conditions in Lezhe have stabilized. The Ambassador will travel to Shkoder tomorrow with President Topi and the heads of the European Commission and the European Union Presidency for a review of the situation. The Embassy will announce a $50,000 humanitarian grant to the Albanian Red Cross tomorrow. The Embassy is also reviewing what assistance the USG can give to address longer-term needs for rehabilitation.