Audit: With current inspector numbers it would take 55 years to check all legal entities
Audit says current inspection capacity — ~1,300 checks by 14–17 inspectors yearly — is insufficient and recommends a national strategy and more funding.
An audit of North Macedonia's civil protection system found the country lacks a functioning, unified framework capable of timely responses to disasters and that inspection capacity is severely limited.
Inspectors and inspections. The report highlights that during a typical year the Directorate for Civil Protection (DCP) carries out about 1,300 inspections using just 14–17 inspectors. "In February 2026 the DCP submitted information to the Government indicating that with the current working method and an average execution of approximately 1,300 inspections annually, it would take approximately 55 years to control all legal entities. For regular and control inspections once a year, according to the DCP estimate, 322 inspectors would be necessary for 72,181 active enterprises," the Audit Report states.
Fires, costs and equipment
The auditors also pointed to recurring problems with wildfires. In 2024 roughly 100,000 hectares burned — a ten‑year record and an area equivalent to about six years of previous averages. The damage that year is estimated at €83 million, and cumulative losses reached €140 million for the period 2023–2025. For airtankers during the same period the DCP spent €2.5 million on servicing, spare parts and insurance.
DCP Director Stojanche Angelov told local broadcasters that this summer the airtankers were serviced and returned to operation on time and that the number of firefighting vehicles and volunteer units has increased. He argued that all available forces can be mobilized by a director's decision when needed.
Angelov also defended the domestic response this year: "This summer there was no need to request international assistance. On the contrary, for the first time since its existence, the DCP declared two airtankers in the European Civil Protection Mechanism to help other countries. This summer North Macedonia handled wildland fires more successfully than ever," he said.
The auditors conclude that to overcome the identified weaknesses the country needs a National Strategy, a clear institutional framework, stable financing, strengthened capacities and an effective monitoring and oversight system.
Photo: press material from the event
