EU-Supported “FloodNorthALB” Exercise Tackles Civil Emergency Response Challenges in Albania

A large-scale flood simulation took place from April 7 to 11, 2025, as part of the EU-funded initiative ‘FloodNorthALB’ in the Shkodra region of Albania.

During the exercise, a helicopter team performed a rescue operation for a citizen in distress, while similar missions were executed in Obot, Berdicë e Mesme, and surrounding locations, including near the Church of Shirgjit, the Plumbit Mosque, Beltojë-Hoxhës, and along the Dajç beach in Shkodra.

The training involved multinational teams from Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy. It was coordinated by the National Agency for Civil Protection of Albania in response to a severe flooding emergency.

To effectively manage the flood situation and facilitate rescue operations, various resources including boats, ambulances, pumps, and drones were deployed, enabling the rescue of individuals and the evacuation of residents.

This initiative seeks to bolster the Albanian Civil Protection system’s capacity to respond to ongoing disasters. It enhances collective disaster response capabilities and improves Albania’s preparedness, particularly after the country joined the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) in 2022. The comprehensive exercise ‘FloodNorthALB’ aims to refine disaster risk management and train authorities for swift and effective responses, especially in densely populated areas like Shkodra, while working to mitigate environmental damage and save lives.

Andrea Rizzio, head of the Political Section at the EU Delegation in Albania, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Since its accession to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in 2022, Albania has shown remarkable commitment. The full-scale exercise ‘FloodNorthALB’ underscores the urgent need to enhance European preparedness for all types of disasters, whether natural or man-made. A prompt and effective response in densely populated regions such as Shkodra is vital for saving lives and reducing damage.”

Full-scale exercises (FSX) like the one in Shkodra are among the most intricate and demanding operational drills, involving various agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions to assess multiple facets of preparedness. The exercise scenario evaluated every level of the civil protection system, testing participants’ abilities to respond according to established procedures, plans, and protocols. By simulating a high-pressure disaster environment, the exercise aimed to reflect a major emergency and cultivate teams capable of acting decisively and effectively during real flooding incidents.

In the face of increasing natural disasters, which threaten lives, property, the environment, and cultural heritage amid the ongoing climate crisis, the ‘FloodNorthALB’ project specifically addresses the complex flood risks faced by the Shkodra region, known for its susceptibility to severe and recurrent flooding.

The project also highlights the importance of effective communication, operational capacity, and resource allocation during emergencies. It evaluates the integration of modern technologies, including drones, to enhance flood rescue operations in terms of situational awareness, damage assessment, and operational efficiency.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) comprises all 27 EU member states as well as Albania, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Turkey. (April 18)