krizë

Krizë is a noun in Albanian that denotes a time of intense difficulty or danger, a turning point, or a decisive moment in a process such as a disease progression. Broadly, it refers to disruptions that require urgent assessment and response. The concept is used across political, economic, social, and health domains, and is often qualified by terms such as krizë politike (political crisis), krizë ekonomike (economic crisis), or krizë shëndetësore (health crisis).

Etymology and usage: The word krizë shares its root with the English crisis, derived from Greek krisis and Latin crisis. In Albanian, krizë is the standard term to describe a high-stress or high-stakes situation, regardless of the domain. It is commonly formed into compound expressions to specify the sector or nature of the crisis.

Types and examples: Political crises involve governance conflicts or constitutional dilemmas; economic crises refer to sharp declines in financial activity or systemic stress; health crises concern widespread disease or public health emergencies; humanitarian or environmental crises describe large-scale disruption caused by displacement, natural disaster, or ecological damage. Notable phrases include Kriza e raketave të Kubës (Cuban Missile Crisis) and krizë ekonomike (economic crisis). A krizë refugjatësh would describe a refugee crisis.

Management and implications: Crises typically require coordinated crisis management, including risk assessment, early warning, rapid decision-making, and transparent communication. Policy responses aim to stabilize conditions, protect populations, and restore normal functioning, often through international cooperation and resilience-building to reduce future vulnerability.