Adaptation to Climate Change through Transboundary Flood Risk Management in the Western Balkans

Over the past few years, the frequency and severity of natural disasters (mainly floods and droughts) in the Western Balkans region has increased substantially. Climate change is causing intensive floods, which affect the living conditions of the population along the Drin River Basin. Climate projection models predict that flooding is likely to increase in the coming years. The consequences of flooding include damage to property, destruction of crops, and loss of livestock, with severe economic impacts for communities. The riparian countries (Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia) clearly see a need for joint action in terms of preparedness, response and recovery, to successfully face the consequences of these events and adapt to predicted changes. The recent floods in early 2018 already showed that the measures supported by the project are effective in mitigating flood damage. In Kosovo, both a drought management guideline for drinking water utilities and a drought management plan for Gjilan were produced. Moreover, a drought early warning tool based on a Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) has been developed for regional water companies in Kosovo, which remains in use. Does the flood risk mapping include an ecosystem/enviornmnetal component?