The “FloodNorthALB” exercise supported by the EU addresses the challenges of civil emergency response in Albania

The simulation of a flood was part of the EU-funded project ‘FloodNorthALB’, a full-scale exercise held from April 7 to 11, 2025, in the Shkodra region of Albania.

The helicopter crew conducted a rescue operation to assist a citizen fighting for their life while similar operations were carried out in Obot, Berdicë e Mesme, as well as in the areas around the Church of Shirgjit, the Plumbit Mosque, Beltojë-Hoxhës, and the beach of Dajç in Shkodra.

These exercises involved multinational teams from Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy, coordinated by the National Agency for Civil Protection of Albania in response to an ongoing emergency caused by severe flooding.

To manage the floods and support search efforts, boats, ambulances, pumps, and drones were brought in, while individuals were rescued and residents were evacuated.

This initiative aims to support the Albanian Civil Protection system in responding to ongoing disasters. The project strengthens collective disaster response capabilities and increases Albania’s preparedness, especially after the country became a member of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) in 2022. By improving disaster risk management, the full-scale exercise ‘FloodNorthALB’ prepares authorities for rapid and effective responses, particularly in densely populated areas like the Shkodra prefecture, making efforts to minimize environmental damage and save lives.

“As a recent member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 2022, Albania has demonstrated extraordinary commitment. The full-scale exercise ‘FloodNorthALB’ highlights the critical need to strengthen European preparedness for all types of disasters, whether natural or man-made. A rapid and effective response, especially in densely populated areas like the Shkodra region, is essential to save lives and minimize damage,” said Andrea Rizzio, head of the Political Section at the EU Delegation in Albania.

Full-scale exercises (FSX), like the one organized in Shkodra, are among the most complex and resource-intensive operations-based exercises. They involve multiple agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions and are designed to validate various elements of preparedness. The exercise scenario tests every level of the civil protection system, challenging participants to respond in accordance with established procedures, plans, and protocols. By simulating a real-time disaster environment under high pressure, the full-scale exercise aims to reflect a major emergency and develop teams capable of acting quickly and effectively during actual flooding events.

As natural disasters increasingly threaten the lives, property, environment, and cultural heritage of citizens – exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis – the ‘FloodNorthALB’ project addresses the complex flood risks in the Shkodra region, an area particularly prone to severe and repeated flooding.

The project also ensures effective communication, operational reach, and capacity to address additional resource demands during emergencies. Furthermore, it assesses the integration and effectiveness of modern technologies, such as drones, in supporting flood rescue efforts with a focus on situational awareness, damage assessment, and operational efficiency.

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