OVERVIEW

Natural hazards such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires, and extreme winter weather affect a range of countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia (EMCA). In addition, rapid urban growth and environmental degradation in some countries have led to overcrowding and settlement in hazard-prone areas. Protracted conflict and limited governmental disaster management capacity in many EMCA countries compound the risks associated with natural disasters.

With the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean, the first meeting of the Drin Core Group took place on 30 May 2012 in Ohrid, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This was the first meeting of the Core Group as the official joint body according to the memorandum of understanding signed on 25 November 2011 in Tirana by the five Drin River Riparians — Albania, Greece, Kosovo (United Nations administered region under security council resolution 1244), Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

This report covers the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

In brief

The programmes of the Red Cross of Montenegro are aligned with the global aims of the International Federation`s Strategy 2020 to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises; enable healthy and safe living; and promote social inclusion and culture of non-violence and peace. The capacity-building efforts are in line with the enabling action one to build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Programme summary

Reference: IP/11/1365

Brussels, 17 November 2011 - Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and W. Craig Fugate, Administrator of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, met today in Brussels to discuss the priorities for cooperation between the European Commission and FEMA in disaster management and emergency response.

Summary: CHF 50,255 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society of Montenegro in delivering immediate assistance to some 1,350 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

In brief

Programme purpose: All programmes and activities of the Red Cross of Montenegro are aligned and contribute to the Strategy 2020 aiming to improve the lives and to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable people through disaster management, health and care, organizational development, and focus on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 7 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency has warned that victims of the worst floods to hit Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring Montenegro in decades will continue to need help during the winter months.

The flash floods in early December led to 40,000 people being evacuated from their damaged or destroyed homes, including about 10,000 who were uprooted by violence in the region in the 1990s. Many of these people needed shelter and other assistance.

But Naveed Hussein, UNHCR's representative

Humanitarian Aid Group Donates Funds for Emergency Relief for over 300 Families and Launches Web Appeal for Additional Emergency Support

Silver Spring, MD - (December 20, 2010) - CHF International (CHF), the U.S.-based international development and humanitarian assistance organization, today announced the first phase of its response to the flooding in Montenegro with the launch of a web appeal to further support relief efforts.

Local authorities report that approximately 20,000 people were evacuated in the Western Balkans after heavy rains and

In the wake of severe flooding in the Balkans, Belgium has decided to send a B-FAST team to Montenegro, one of the hardest-hit countries in the region, in response to an appeal by the Montenegrin government.

The B-FAST Coordination Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere, has decided to dispatch a two-strong Civil Protection team and around 10 water pumps.

The mission will cost around €45,000 and a cargo plane will leave for Montenegro within the next few days.