UPDATE ON FLOODING IN NORTHERN ALBANIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000008 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/SCE:JISMAIL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID SENV SOCI PHUM AL SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FLOODING IN NORTHERN ALBANIA TIRANA 00000008 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Over the weekend, flood waters in northern Albania receded slightly, although they remain at critical levels. Rain is forecast for the foreseeable future. To date, approximately 5,000 out of 11,000 affected people have been evacuated from affected areas in the flood plain around Shkoder. The majority (4,500) are residing with relatives in other areas of Albania, while the remaining 500 are being assisted by the government and international organizations. With the receding water, the main road connecting Shkoder to Albania has reopened, although the road connecting Tropoje (in Northern Albania) to the rest of Albania remains closed. Embassy observations in Shkoder have found grocery stores and pharmacy stores open and adequately stocked. The MOI crisis response command center in Shkoder is well-staffed and functioning. The local Red Cross states it has adequate food aid to supply 8,000 people for one month. International assistance has begun to arrive, including goods, medicine, water pumps and generators from several EU countries. End Summary. OVERALL SITUATION -------------- ¶2. Waters receded slightly due to lighter rainfall, although they remain at critical levels. Furthermore, heavy rain is predicted in northern Albania for this week. Annual winter rain in Albania usually continues into April. Hence, as dams in northern Albania are already at full capacity, flooding will continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future. ¶3. The city of Shkoder itself has so far largely been unaffected as it is on high ground above the flood plan. Surrounding villages lower down in the flood plain have been especially affected. According to the Ministry of Interior, 2,205 houses have been damaged by the flood. Because of damage to the water supply system in affected villages, the Ministry reports those remaining in the flooded communities will not have access to potable water (drinking water in Shkoder is not affected). The municipality has also cut electricity to the flooded regions to avoid any accident. ¶4. USAID Director, DATT and ODC visited Shkoder on Sunday. The main road connecting Shkoder to Tirana has been reopened as water levels over the road are lower. According to the group's observations, the atmosphere in the city itself is calm. Food and medicine supplies in local stores and pharmacies are adequate and there has not been a run on basic goods. Electricity to the city has also been constant. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS -------------- ¶5. To date, the Government reports it has evacuated approximately 5,000 out of 11,000 affected persons have been evacuated. Out of those, only 500 have had to rely on government shelters. The government announced it has temporary shelter available for up to 4,000 people. The Government of Albania has stated that in a worst case scenario, it may need to evacuate up to 20,000 persons, depending on developing circumstances. More than 1,200 rescue workers are currently in Shkoder and the affected areas, including rescue workers, local and state police, and 800 military officers. ¶6. According to Embassy observations, the Ministry of Interior's crisis response command center in Shkoder is well-staffed and functioning. The center is providing press briefs every two hours and there are no press restrictions to the center. Efforts are underway to coordinate food aid with the Red Cross. The Red Cross has told Embassy that they have sufficient food and hygiene add to supply 8,000 persons for one month. The Red Cross stated that starting January 13, they intend to take responsibility for 4,500 displaced people. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶7. In response to calls for international aid, several countries have offered in-kind assistance. Slovenia has provided 13 mobile power generators; Austria has provided 8 mobile power generators and 5 water pumps; Italy has provided 2 military transport helicopters (although they have not arrived in Albania yet due to bad weather), and is also providing regular satellite imagery to monitor water levels in the rivers and along the flood plain; France has provided 11 water pumps; and Greece has sent 29 fire fighters, 4 vehicles, 2 rescue boats and 22 water pumps. In response to Albania's request through NATO and NATO-Partner channels, Moldova announced it will contribute 50 tons worth of food, medicine and water pumps, but it requires airlift assistance to transport it to Albania. ¶8. The EU has sent a team of emergency experts from the European Union Monitoring and Information Center (EU-MIC) over the weekend. TIRANA 00000008 002.2 OF 002 Today they began an assessment of the situation. Italy sent their lead government expert on dams to conduct an assessment of the dams' stability. On Saturday, he reported that in his estimation, the three dams (Fierze, Koman and Vau i Dejes) appear stable and in good condition. ¶9. The Kosovo Government has also sent a 14-person search and rescue unit, with four boats and a three-person medical team. Two KFOR mentors accompanied the contingent. Additionally, local media are reporting that Kosovo has allocated 200,000 to assist Albania's flood response. Macedonia and Greece have also sent several volunteers with equipment to help with rescue and evacuation efforts. ¶10. The UN has stated that it anticipates disbursing $200,000 to the local Shkoder Prefect to provide living assistance to evacuees. The GOA has also made an appeal for livestock feed for cows, sheep, poultry and pigs.