Team of experts of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance who traveled to Albania to help it with coordination and response efforts against the wildfires have started to address the challenges, working together with our Albanian partners, has underlined Tuesday the US Ambassador to Tirana, Yuri Kim.

The American diplomat made these remarks during her visit at Pashaliman Naval Base in the framework of the measures that Albanian structures, helped by the USAID, are taking to tackle the forest fires situaiton, as the Embassy informed.

During her visit to Pashaliman, Ambassador Kim was alongside Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, Chief of Defense Bajram Begaj, and National Civil Protection Agency Director Haki Cako. Ambassador Kim also met with experts from the U.S. Forest Service, the Embassy press office revealed.

“’Our thoughts are with all Albanians during this difficult time, particularly those whose lives have been affected by the destruction… I am in the Vlora region today to meet our American team of experts from USAID - US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance who traveled to Albania to assist with coordination and response efforts. I am grateful for their quick response to the call for assistance. They have already started to address the challenges, working together with our Albanian partners.’

U.S. Ambassador Yuri Kim during her visit at Pashaliman Naval Base, alongside Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, Chief of Defense Bajram Begaj, and National Civil Protection Agency Director Haki Cako. Ambassador Kim also met with experts from the U.S. Forest Service, brought in Albania through USAID to assess the fire situation and advise the Albanians how best to respond”, stated the US Embassy on the social networks.

Full statement by Ambassador Kim below:

On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I want to express my deep sadness at the devastation caused by the wildfires in Albania.  Our thoughts are with all Albanians during this difficult time, particularly those whose lives have been affected by the destruction.  We are grateful to the military personnel and firefighters for their heroic actions to fight the wildfires and to help prevent further loss of lives and property.  I would also like to thank Defense Minister Peleshi, Chief of Defense Begaj, and Director of the National Civil Protection Agency Çako for their efforts leading the response.

I am in the Vlora region today to meet our American team of experts from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance who traveled to Albania to assist with coordination and response efforts. I am grateful for their quick response to the call for assistance.  They have already started to address the challenges, working together with our Albanian partners.  These united efforts and the cooperation between our countries is what Allies do for one another during times of need.  These are the moments when friends and Allies stand together to meet these difficult challenges.

I am also very pleased that previous emergency planning between our countries is helping with these efforts, especially the donations of firefighting equipment from the U.S. European Command in 2019.  Firefighting equipment, such as the “Bambi” buckets used by helicopters, is now being used to save lives.

Let me say again, the American people stand with you – and will always stand with you – during difficult times.