European solidarity is continuing to assist Italy tackle forest fires, the European Commission said on Monday 28 August. In response to a third request for assistance lodged through the EU civil protection mechanism, France immediately made two “water bomber” Canadairs and a reconnaissance aircraft available to Italy.
The EU has provided the Italian national civil protection authorities with images from the Copernicus satellite that make it possible to map the seats of the fires and assess the scale of the damage in areas affected.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Italy”, stated European Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides on Monday, giving assurances that the EU stood ready to provide “further assistance if requested”.
This summer, the civil protection mechanism has been triggered a number of times at the request of European countries hit by forest fires, such as Italy, France, Portugal (see EUROPE 11838 and 11811), Montenegro and Albania, or struck by earthquakes, such as Greece (see EUROPE 11835).
The Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), is monitoring the situation around the clock. The ERCC coordinates offers of assistance, ensuring they meet the needs of the countries requesting help. The Commission is co-financing 85% of related transport costs to countries offering support during this critical time in the Mediterranean basin.
Taking part in the EU civil protection mechanism are the Union’s 28 member states, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Turkey. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)