Civil Emergencies modernized, Xhaçka: Very soon one of the best equipped in Western Balkans

Published: Tuesday, 28 July 2020 12:49

Civil Emergency structures, part of the Armed Forces will be way better equipped and more dignified in the fight against natural disasters. 1250 new uniforms, conform to safety standards, were donated by the Turkish Government to our Armed Forces.

Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka expressed her deepest gratitude to the Turkish people and government, mentioning also the quote "a friend in need is a friend indeed".
Focusing on investments done in the Armed Forces, Minister Xhaçka emphasized the attention given to modernization and reorganization of Civil Emergencies structures.

"Within a few days, a full year will be completed since the Parliament approved the law on Civil Protection, which brought a real revolution regarding organization, capacity building, and professionalism, as well as our ability to cope with emergencies. Today, I may say with pride that we have managed to set up a really efficient structure, and what is most important, equipped with the most modern and professional devices.” - said Mrs. Xhaçka, announcing that Civil Emergencies will be further equipped, thanks to the generosity of the Turkish government. "A lot of work has been done to increase the capacity to deal with emergencies. And the approval of the bill will pave the way for the absorption of a $ 2.3 million fund, the second phase of the Turkish grant, for the purchase of goods and services by the Ministry of Defense. "Because just as in the first phase of the grant awarded by Turkey to the Ministry of Defense, this fund will also be used to cope with the civil emergencies that the country is facing."

Murat Ahmet Yörük, the Ambassador of Turkey to our country, praised the relations between the two peoples and underlined that the value of the new devices, equipment, and uniforms donated by the Turkish government amounts to $ 1.5 million.

The first part of the Turkish government grant consists of 6 new ambulances, equipped with all necessary devices and tools, over 100 tents with an area from 25 to 100 m2, 500 pairs of special uniforms against rain, 400 pairs against fire, 250 pairs of search-and-rescue uniforms, and 100 uniforms for professional firefighters.