VZCZCXRO7061
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHTI #0027/01 0131556
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131556Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8722
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC

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.