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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

USAID Provides an Additional $175,000 to Help Fight Wildfires in Albania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2007
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an additional $175,000 to assist the Government of Albania in combating recent wildfires. In total, the U.S. Government has provided $225,000 to Albania since the beginning of August for this disaster.

"These fires which have already caused a tremendous amount of damage, now threaten to destroy thousands more acres of land, which will have a severe impact on the environment and cause further economic and humanitarian hardships," said Edward T. Landau, USAID Mission Director in that country. "The U.S. Government is committed to helping the Government of Albania respond to this national crisis."

Albania has tackled more than 150 fires and extinguished most of them. However, Albania's northern and northeastern regions-home to several national forests-continue to be at severe risk from additional blazes. With USAID's additional assistance, the Civil Emergency Department (CED) within the Government of Albania's Ministry of Interior will finance fuel and operational costs for aircraft to bring the fires in the northern region under control. The funding will also help with the CED's preparedness for future emergencies.

On July 27, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Stephen Cristina declared a disaster due to the loss of property and livelihoods and potential loss of life as a result of the wildfires in Albania. In response, USAID provided an initial $50,000 for the rental of firefighting aircraft.

USAID will continue to monitor the situation in Albania and provide additional assistance if needed.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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