Montenegro receives new flood protection and rescue equipment

18.11.2019

The equipment, worth nearly €78,000, was purchased as part of a project funded by the European Union

The Emergency Directorate and the municipal services from Podgorica, Bar, and Ulcinj received new flood protection and rescue equipment under the project “Disasters do not know the Borders,” which is implemented by the FORS Montenegro and the Directorate. The equipment consists of rubber and aluminum boats, boat engines, lifeguard suites, life vests, and other life-saving equipment, all worth about €78 thousand. The project is funded by the European Union under the Montenegro-Albania Cross-border Co-operation Programme and co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration in Montenegro.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mevludin Nuhodzic, pointed out that this cross-border project effectively reflects the interconnectedness of the region when it comes to natural and other disasters.

"This mutual trust and understanding that we build together is, in fact, a strong connective tissue that connects us with humanity and solidarity in difficult situations. That is why I am pleased that this project has a regional dimension and that we are implementing it with our colleagues from the Republic of Albania, with whom we have repeatedly shared the difficulties in responding to many hazards, especially floods,” the Minister explained.

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The equipment was awarded on the eve of the conference "Disaster Risk Reduction and the Importance of Cross-Border and Regional Cooperation," which was organised within the same project. The Programme Manager for Territorial Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Donata Von Sigsfeld, stressed that the cross-border cooperation between people and institutions in this area is of particular importance because disasters do not know administrative borders.

This action is one example of the contribution of the EU to building disaster resilient communities and strengthening cross-border and international cooperation in this area. We have a strong commitment to both prevention of natural and man-made disasters and minimising their consequences through effective risk management, vulnerability reduction, and support of the policies in this area,” Von Sigsfeld said during the conference.

The "Disasters do not know borders" project began in April 2018 and aims to contribute to a finding better ways in which Montenegro and Albania can become prepapred for emergencies. The project is being implemented in Montenegro in the Municipalities of Podgorica, Bar, and Ulcinj, and in Albania in the Shkodra region.