Brussels, 27/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Europe is working, through the EU civil protection mechanism, to help the Turkish authorities assist victims of the powerful earthquake which hit the province of Van on Sunday. Provisional figures are for over 500 dead and some 2,300 injured, and considerable damage to housing and infrastructure (see EUROPE 10481).
Six EU member states - Austria, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom -offered over 2,300 winterised tents within the first three hours of Turkey's request, on Wednesday evening, for assistance in view of the scale of the disaster. Providing survivors with shelter against the winter is now the priority. Other EU countries have already indicated their willingness to provide aid.
The European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), the pivotal body of the civil protection mechanism, was able to coordinate offers from the moment the request for assistance was received. A team of European civil protection experts is on its way to facilitate the supply of aid on the ground.
“The Turkish authorities, the Red Crescent and the numerous volunteers have faced a huge task and have saved and helped thousands in these days of heartbreaking loss and substantial damage. Now they have asked us to join their effort to care for the survivors and Europe is ready to contribute”, said European International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.
Over the coming days, funds may be made available for pre-fabricated houses.
The Commission is currently looking at further ways to support the relief effort through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), said Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle. The EU civil protection mechanism comprises 31 members (the 27 EU member states, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). (AN/transl.rt)