New fire management project launched with support from the Swiss government

The Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro signed today a Memorandum of Cooperation for landscape fire management with the Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber.

The memorandum for the fire protection project enables support from Switzerland for forest and landscape fire management. The project brings technical support to Albania and several countries of the Western Balkans where there has been an increase in fires recently as a result of climate change.

“The Ministry of Tourism has begun an expanded programme of activities and initiatives for the Year of Forests, as 2024 has been declared. Prevention and management of fires is essential for protecting forests and biodiversity, therefore I greatly appreciate that a project like this will be part of our national calendar for the Year of Forests activities”, said Minister Mirela Kumbaro at the signing ceremony.

“As climate change affects all countries, including Albania, fire management becomes crucial for safeguarding lives, economies and the environment. Through this new project the relevant institutions will strengthen their capacities, improve policies and establish a regional cooperation, in order to become more resilient against forest and landscape fires”,said Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber on the occasion.

The project will increase the capabilities and resilience of the relevant institutions against uncontrolled fires, in order to preserve the livelihoods and economies of the inhabitants. Due to climate change and indiscriminate use of land, there has been an increase in fires, while management capacities need to be strengthened.

To achieve this, the project will establish a regional network between neighbouring countries, increased capacities of institutions, and policies that address sustainable management of landscapes and forests.

Expertise and experience from Swiss institutions will be a key element in the implementation of this project. Likewise local communities – those directly affected by the fires – will be at the center of this initiative

The project is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. 

source: eda.admin.ch