Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date of event 29-01-2026 What happened, where and when? During January 2026, North Macedonia was affected by a prolonged cyclonic weather system that brought persistent and intense rainfall across several parts of the country. According to the National Hydro meteorological Service (UHMR), rainfall exceeding 30 l/m² was recorded in the central and eastern parts of the country, accompanied by unstable weather conditions and thunderstorms. The combination of heavy precipitation, saturated ground and snowmelt contributed to the overflow of several rivers and resulted in localized and widespread flooding, particularly in the municipalities of Kičevo and Ohrid. The flooding affected residential areas, houses, basements, yards, business premises, public spaces and road infrastructure, causing significant disruption to daily life and local mobility. Several neighborhoods and low-lying areas were inundated, while damage to roads and access routes further restricted movement and access to essential services. The impact was particularly significant for households in vulnerable situations, including low-income families, older people, people with disabilities, families with young children and people living in flood-prone or substandard housing. Affected households reported damage to homes and loss of essential household items, while some experienced temporary displacement and increased economic hardship. Small businesses and livelihoods were also affected, reducing the coping capacity of vulnerable households. Heavy rainfall continued between 2 and 11 January, resulting in sustained high river levels and further flooding in Kičevo and Ohrid, including a flash flood in the Kičevo area. As damage and needs assessments progressed, additional households were identified as having sustained losses to housing, household belongings and livelihoods. The scale and duration of the emergency resulted in humanitarian needs exceeding the initial local response capacity. On 16 January 2026, local crisis management authorities in Kičevo and Ohrid requested the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia to continue and scale up humanitarian assistance to affected communities. Based on the identified needs and in coordination with the relevant authorities, the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia initiated a DREF operation to support the most affected and vulnerable households with emergency humanitarian assistance. A second period of severe weather occurred between 14 and 16 February 2026, when prolonged and intense rainfall caused the rapid rise and overflow of several rivers, including the Zajashka and Slupčanka rivers. Flooding affected several municipalities, with the most significant impact again reported in Kičevo, as well as in parts of Tetovo, Gostivar, Saraj and surrounding settlements. In Kičevo, the overflow of the Zajashka River affected residential neighborhoods, streets, basements, yards, business premises, agricultural land and local road infrastructure. Landslides and damaged roads further restricted access and disrupted transport. Vulnerable households were particularly affected, with many experiencing damage to their homes, loss of essential belongings and temporary displacement. More than 270 people were evacuated in Kičevo. Throughout the emergency, the Red Cross branches, in coordination with municipal authorities, emergency services and the Crisis Management Centre, supported affected communities through evacuation assistance, distribution of humanitarian relief items, provision of drinking water and other immediate response activities. In Kičevo, the Red Cross branch provided assistance to approximately 200 households, including food and hygiene parcels, blankets, sleeping bags and drinking water. The successive flooding events in January and February, combined with the prolonged rainfall and exposure of vulnerable households, increased humanitarian needs and placed additional pressure on affected communities. The DREF operation therefore focused on addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable affected households and supporting the Red Cross response capacity during the emergency and early recovery period.
North Macedonia Flood 2026 – DREF Final Report (MDRMK011)
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