Novosela Administrative Unit/ Vlore Municipality

 May 17, 2016

In the framework of the initiative "Disaster Risk Reduction and the role of cooperation between public institution” support by the OSCE Presence in Albania, the Vlora Aarhus Information Centre in cooperation with Vlora Municipality, organized a public meeting with the participation of 25 local officials, stakeholders and civil society representatives.

This public consultation was held in premises of administrative unit of Novosela/ Vlora Municipality and there were participating representatives from the Municipality of Vlora, the chairman of the villages of Novosela Administrate Unit, local businesses, Drainage Board representatives, pumping stations, fire fighting brigades Vlora, etc. The discussion was mainly focused on the reasons that have led to an increase of flooding from the river Vjosë in the Novosela area in the past 5 years.

On behalf of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Mr.  Elton Qendro welcomed the participants and mentioned the importance of public awareness and participation by placing emphasis that in case of flood it is crucial to have a proper communication plan for saving human lives.

Mr. Kanan Shakaj, head of the Novosele Administrative Unit, presented an overview of flood occurred last year, in 2015, data, circumstances, measures taken and community reaction. "Cooperation between various public institutions during the days of February 2015 when most villages of Novosela were under water, it was very good and efficient, to avoid any potential disaster or loss in cattle, and human lives" said Mr. Shakaj.

Mr. Rustem Velaj, chairman of the village Win said that "Before the 1990, the drainage channels were being maintained pretty good even without proper tools and vehicles as at the time we had lack of equipments such as excavators and tractors, however channels then were more cleaned and worked than today, why??!  Apart from that in some cases drainage channels have even disappeared altogether from the map due to our irresponsibility, we have turned them into agricultural land, without realizing how much harm we bring ourselves and the earth in case of flooding, as failure of canals causes floods almost every year”

Ms. Mimi Vera, representative of the Drainage Board in the Municipality of Vlora added:  "There are some reasons and causes that have led to an increase of floods in the area Novosela, however apart from those mentioned I would add also the need to improve the conditions of pumping system in Akerni village, increasing the human resources, in order to be fully prepared and efficient during the flood time and reduce flood damage”

The meeting was finalized with a field visit in the village Bishan visit by concrete protecting system realized through the Vjosa river side of Vlora in order to protect the land from erosion and flooding. Mr. Shakaj, administrator of the Administrative Unit Novosele.

He explained the necessity of the construction of these dams and the impact they have on protection of land area Novosela.

The Aarhus Centre will continue with meetings in Vlora Administrative Units to increase awareness about disaster risk reduction and functioning as a platform communication to civil society and local authorities