Disasters are huge challenges for societies, especially for urban areas, where most of the population and economic activity are located. Earthquakes are a predominant risk in the Western Balkans and a major one can have severe impacts in the efforts of the Western Balkans Governments for economic development and social wellbeing. The earthquake is the worst from point of view of damages, disruption of normality, life threatening situations and threat to societies / economies resilience. This is the case Montenegro will face if a major earthquake hits Boka Kotorska Bay affecting big part of the country. The area is the economic center of a big territory and the functions that will be damaged, cannot be easily replaced, including Unesco World Heritage Monuments. Montenegro resilience status will influence neighbouring countries and especially Albania and Croatia, calling for cross border sustainable cooperation, served by BALANCE project. BALANCE is a full-scale exercise that will take place in Bona Kotorska Bay in Montenegro, emulating an earthquake and the possibility of a tsunami. Cyprus Civil Defence will assist Montenegro with Response Team, Technical Assistance team and a team of search and rescue (SAR) dogs and their handler and Coordination expert.
Balance Exercise