05/11/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Sunday 4 November at 11.00p.m, as soon as it heard of the heavy flooding in Italy, the EU expressed solidarity by providing satellite mapping of damage in affected areas (Sicily and Venetia), tweeted the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylianides. The Copernicus programme was activated at the request of the Italian authorities to provide high definition satellite maps, and the Emergency Response and Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission, which is active 24/7, has been in constant contact with the Italian authorities. Stylianides met Agostino Miozzo of the Italian Civil Protection Department on Monday. “We stand in solidarity with the Italian people and authorities at this difficult time”, the commissioner said, giving his assurance that the EU is “ready to provide more support if requested”. (AN)