LocationsUNDP Albania
Building Resilience Together: Elbasan Marks International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
October 15, 2025
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Elbasan
UNDP Albania
On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Albania shows that preparedness is not just a plan — it’s a culture of care.
On October 13, 2025, Elbasan’s main square pulsed with energy and purpose. Fire trucks, rescue tents, and first-aid stations filled the streets as firefighters, medical teams, and volunteers guided curious citizens through hands-on demonstrations. The city joined the national “Civil Protection on Tour” campaign — this time coinciding with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR Day), a global call to build safer, more resilient communities.
Jusra Zykollari explaining first-aid techniques and evacuation tips to students and families.
UNDP Albania
A 17-year-old Albanian Red Cross volunteer, Jusra Zykollari, stood out in her bright red vest and calm confidence as she welcomed visitors to her tent, explaining first-aid techniques and evacuation tips to students and families.
“I saw how small actions save lives,” Jusra says, recalling the high-school competition that first sparked her passion for helping others. Now the president of her school’s student council, she advocates for more disaster-preparedness drills in schools. “Awareness isn’t enough. We need training to act when disasters strike,” she insists, often asking her peers: What would you do if a fire or flood hit your community today?
Jusra represents a new generation of young Albanians turning awareness into action — a goal shared by the RESEAL Project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the National Civil Protection Agency (NCPA) and supported by Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland and Albania.
RESEAL: Strengthening Albania’s Readiness when disasters strike
Albania is no stranger to natural hazards — from floods and earthquakes to wildfires and landslides. Through RESEAL, national and local institutions are strengthening the systems, tools, and skills needed to face these challenges head-on.
The project’s impact is tangible:
RESEAL has developed national and local emergency response plans, including for the Fier region, ensuring readiness based on clear risk assessments.
Continuity of Operations and Government Plans help 14 national institutions and the Port of Saranda maintains functionality during crises.
Civil Protection Authorities Conduct Large-Scale Emergency Exercise Simulating Massive Wildfires in Southern Albania, July 2025
UNDP Albania
Large-scale drills, like the wildfire simulation in Gjirokastër, test coordination and refine response mechanisms across multiple regions.
NCPA now uses mobile command vehicles, drones for real-time monitoring, and alerting devices for evacuations. Municipalities have gained essential tools to bridge response gaps.
These aren’t abstract achievements. In 2024 alone, Albania faced over 1,200 wildfires, burning 10,000 hectares of land. In pilot regions, RESEAL -supported interventions have already cut response times proving that preparation saves lives.
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Elbasan’s DRR Day
UNDP Albania
Elbasan’s DRR Day celebration brought the RESEAL project’s achievements to life. Interactive booths showcased the very drones and alerting devices provided through RESEAL, while schoolchildren participated in coordinated fire drills with firefighters and Red Cross volunteers.
More than 500 citizens took part in the event, including 200 students who received hands-on evacuation training. The day was more than an awareness campaign — it was a living demonstration of how national systems, local institutions, and communities can work together to reduce disaster risks.
This collaboration reflects RESEAL’s core mission: linking national strategy with local action so that every community, from Elbasan to Saranda, is better prepared.
Haki Cako, Director of the National Civil Protection Agency and the Mayor of Elbasan, Gledian Llatja on DRR's Day
UNDP Albania
“The message from Elbasan is clear — disaster preparedness starts long before an emergency,” said Haki Cako, Director of the National Civil Protection Agency. “We must train early and often, ensuring schools go beyond theory and practice real drills. Local teams need the right tools — from drones to mobile command units — to respond swiftly. Youth like Jusra remind us that young people aren’t just participants but leaders in resilience. And above all, our plans must prepare us for all seasons — from floods to fires — because true resilience means readiness year-round”.
“Every time I teach someone a first-aid step,” Jusra says, “I feel like I’m helping build a safer future.”
"Collaboration between local and central institutions, sustained funding, and continuous training and awareness are the backbone of a resilient system." — Mayor of Elbasan present at the event.
As Albania continues to face natural hazards, projects like RESEAL — and young leaders like Jusra — remind us that resilience grows through every action we take, every person who steps up, and every community that stands together.
On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Albania shows that preparedness is not just a plan — it’s a culture of care.
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