Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, European solidarity was once again expressed during the summer break, to countries such as Greece and Spain affected by forest fires.
At its request, Spain received, on 19 August, satellite maps from the Copernicus programme to locate and measure the extent of damage caused by a devastating forest fire on the island of Gran Canaria (Valleseco). “The EU stands ready to provide further help if needed”, said Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on his Twitter account.
For the first time, resources from rescEU - the reinforced civil protection mechanism with a reserve of air assets (see EUROPE 12259/5) - were mobilised in response to a request for assistance made by Greece on 13 August. Three planes from Italy and Spain from the rescEU reserve were quickly sent to the devastated areas.
In Athens, on 14 August, Mr Stylianides met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and visited the Greek Civil Protection Crisis Centre with the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, to supervise the use of the rescEU assets.
“This immediate response demonstrates the added value of rescEU, which makes our response more robust, timely and effective”, said the Commissioner. Copernicus satellite maps were also provided. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)