A major full-scale exercise (FSX), "FloodNorthALB", took place from 7–11 April 2025 in Shkodër, Albania, aimed at improving civil protection preparedness and response capacities to manage complex flood scenarios. This initiative was conducted under the UCPM framework, bringing together various local and international stakeholders to simulate realistic disaster conditions.
Andre Rizzo, Head of Political Section at the EU Delegation to Albania and representing DG ECHO Directorate A, noted the significance of such collaboration, emphasising, “FloodNorthALB exercise in Shkodra has shown how European cooperation makes a real difference when disaster strikes. With EU support, Albania is building stronger civil protection systems and taking an active role in regional preparedness, because readiness is key to saving lives and minimising damage.”
Background
Full-scale exercises like FloodNorthALB are highly detailed, involving various agencies and jurisdictions to test preparedness systems comprehensively. These exercises simulate realistic disaster conditions to evaluate the operational capabilities of local, regional, national, and international civil protection bodies as well as to test the host nation support system in dealing with in kind assistance of the host country.
Objective
FloodNorthALB addressed recurring severe floods in Albania’s Shkodër region, intensified by climate change. Following Albania's 2022 entry into the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), the exercise aimed to strengthen flood emergency response, focusing on international and regional cooperation. It assessed key aspects such as UCPM activation, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), inclusive evacuation for persons with disabilities, cultural heritage protection, and integration of modern technologies like drones, enhancing preparedness and regional coordination
Exercise Scenario
Participants faced a challenging scenario: intense rainfall resulted in severe flooding across northern Albania. The event caused critical infrastructure damage, displacement of thousands, and widespread isolation of communities. Initial reports indicated 27 fatalities, 430 injuries, and approximately 25,000 people severely affected, including 2,000 rendered homeless.
The Albanian Government declared a state of natural disaster activating the UCPM. Urgent needs identified included flood containment, high-capacity pumping, water rescue, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection, technical assistance support, and water purification capabilities.
According to the Director-General of the National Civil Protection Agency (NCPA), the exercise was particularly crucial given the Shkodër region’s high-risk status: "The extensive water-rich territory poses challenges in management, often incurring high costs, endangering lives, property, and cultural heritage monuments."
‘As the FloodNorthALB Full-scale Exercise Project Officer, I observed firsthand the complexity and resource intensity required for such operations. Conducting these exercises in a safe learning environment significantly enhanced our capacity for efficient disaster response, directly contributing to the protection of lives and property.
International Cooperation
Teams from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy (Italian Red Cross), Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia participated actively, offering expertise in water rescue, high-capacity pumping, drone operations, and protection of cultural heritage. Minister of Defence Pirro Vengu praised the exercise, highlighting it as "a concrete testament to the progress we’ve made and to the spirit of regional cooperation."
Strategic locations along the Buna, Drin, and Kir rivers near Shkodër hosted diverse emergency scenarios. The Base of Operations at Buna Park Resort served as the coordination hub, facilitating effective interaction among exercise participants, observers, and VIP guests.
Learning and evaluation
FloodNorthALB evaluated emergency response capabilities, identified key lessons, and proposed recommendations to improve future civil protection measures. The exercise examined the use of modern technologies, such as drones, during flood scenarios, assessed inclusive evacuation procedures for persons with disabilities, and explored methods to protect cultural heritage in disaster situations. It also offered valuable training and learning opportunities, strengthening response preparedness and fostering cooperation across the Western Balkan region.