The new fire management project was launched with the support of the Swiss government

2024-02-28 14:34:00, Aktualitet CNA

The new fire management project was launched with the support of the Swiss

The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, signed today the Memorandum of Cooperation for the management of fires with the Ambassador of Switzerland, Ruth Huber.

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

"The Ministry of Tourism has launched an expanded program of activities and initiatives dedicated to the Year of Forests, as the year 2024 has been announced. The prevention and management of fires is essential for the protection of forests and biodiversity, therefore I greatly appreciate that such a project will be part of our national calendar of activities for the year of forests", said Minister Mirela Kumbaro during the signing of this agreement.

"Given that climate change is affecting all countries, including Albania, fire management is essential for preserving lives, economies and the environment. Through this new project, the relevant institutions will strengthen their capacities, improve policies and establish a regional cooperation, with the aim of having more flexibility against forest and landscape fires", said Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber.

The new fire management project was launched with the support of the Swiss

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

For this, the project will provide a regional network between neighboring countries, increased capacities of institutions, and policies that address sustainable management of forest landscapes.

The expertise and experience of Swiss institutions will be a key element in the implementation of this project. Local communities too - those directly affected by the fires - will be at the heart 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./ CNA