This report covers the period 01 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

Programme summary

Disaster preparedness and response remains the priority area of the Albanian Red Cross Society.

The work focuses on implementing its disaster preparedness and response plan at local level in line with the national disaster management plan. Moreover, increasing awareness of the public at large, of the government and non-governmental institutions to disaster preparedness and risk reduction make this another important element of the National Society programming, using vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA) exercises. All activities are to further improve the operational capacities of the Albanian Red Cross to effectively respond to the events of disaster.

Limited funding meant that only activities in the Disaster Management programme were completed, while the other programmes are to be implemented as soon as support is ensured.

The Albanian National Society is following up on the activities of last year (forming a national team for Disaster Risk Reduction and determining national level priorities) with targeting specific communities and starting the work on risk mapping and the development of contingency plans in twenty most vulnerable communities in the ten municipalities identified as especially risk prone.

The Albanian Red Cross has been active in seeking other sources of funding, partners and opportunities.