The Kosovo Emergency Management Agency (Agjencia e Menaxhimit të Emergjencave, AME) is a government executive agency responsible for coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across the Republic of Kosovo. Operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it manages civil protection and ensures the safety and resilience of the population during natural and human-made emergencies. 

Key facts:

• Established in 2009, inheriting the previous structure of the Emergency Management Department created in 2003, which in turn continued the Department of Civil Security and Emergency Preparedness established after the 1999 war by UNMIK regulation.
• Parent organization: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kosovo.
• Headquarters: Pristina, Kosovo.
• Core functions include civil protection, disaster response and coordination, emergency planning, and risk assessment.

Mandate and functions:

The agency is tasked with developing and executing national emergency response strategies, coordinating disaster operations across agencies, and managing early-warning systems. It oversees and coordinates response teams, including firefighting, rescue, and hazardous materials units. AME also manages the Kosovo Emergency Operations Center 112, which facilitates communication and coordination during crises.

Structure and coordination:

AME/EMA operates through regional Emergency Operation Centers 112 and local civil protection offices. It collaborates with municipal first-response authorities, such as the Kosovo Police, Fire and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services, as well as second-response entities, such as the Kosovo Security Force and KFOR, and international partners. The agency aligns national plans with local response capabilities to enable rapid resource mobilization and effective information flow during emergencies.

Training and capacity building:

The agency conducts regular training, simulation exercises, and awareness campaigns to improve preparedness among institutions and the public. It develops curricula for professional development in emergency management and works with EU and NATO programs to harmonize Kosovo’s disaster management standards with international best practices.

International cooperation:

AME/EMA collaborates with regional and international organizations, including NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. These partnerships involve cross-border response projects, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-sharing networks to enhance Kosovo’s disaster resilience.