Yesterday, April 3, marked the beginning of a significant training program addressed to the experts of the Albanian Civil Protection Agency (Agjencia Kombëtare e Mbrojtjes Civile – AKMC), organized in collaboration with the Italian Civil Protection Department (DPC). This activity will be implemented in the framework of the initiative “Establishment of a National Operational Center for Civil Emergencies of the Albanian National Civil Protection Agency” (AID 11561), funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with a million euros.
Scheduled to run from April to July 2024, this comprehensive program will equip 30 AKMC experts from with essential skills and knowledge, delivered by seasoned professionals from DPC. The training program will consist of 19 modules which will cover a wide range of topics, including risk assessment, emergency planning, coordination of the civil protection system, assistance to the population and exercises of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
In the opening session of the training, distinguished figures, including the Deputy Director of AICS Tirana, Letizia Fischioni, the Director of International Cooperation and Projects of AKMC, Klajdi Nikolla and Coordinator of the training program for DPC, Agostino Goretti, underscored the importance of this initiative in bolstering Albania’s resilience against disasters.
Emphasis was placed on the tangible outcomes achieved through the ongoing project, notably the establishment of the National Operational Center for Civil Emergencies of the AKMC, a milestone accomplishment inaugurated in April 2022, and a recent study visit to Italy for the AKMC situation room staff, in collaboration with the Florence Civil Protection.
Consistent with the country’s national strategies, the Albanian law n. 45 of 2019, and the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the initiative demonstrates – once again – the crucial role of international cooperation in supporting partner Countries in achieving international standards in the field of disaster risk reduction.
The training, and the overall project, represent a significant step towards more effective coordination of civil protection activities in the country and contributes to making Albania a safer place, In line with AICS strategy in the Western Balkans and the EU accession process.
Thanks to future initiatives, the Italian Cooperation intends to further strengthen Albania’s capacity for emergency preparedness and response, and to promote security and well-being in the country.
