In view of the scale of the forest fires which continue to ravage Australia, the European Union reiterated, on Tuesday 7 January, its offer of assistance to the Australian authorities, beyond the satellite maps of the European Copernicus programme already provided in mid-November (see EUROPE 12368/13). However, in order for the intensification of assistance to take place, the Australian authorities would have to make a request to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
“I offered the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, every kind of assistance. We stand with all Australians affected by this disaster of unprecedented scale. The EU provided concrete support via maps which facilitated rescue operations. The EU and Member States are ready to do more”, said European Council President Charles Michel on his Twitter account late Tuesday evening. He had called Mr Morrison to express this message over the telephone.
The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is closely monitoring the situation and has been in close contact with the Australian authorities for weeks, said EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič. And more precisely: “We are waiting for specific requests”.
Belgium announced the same day its “availability” to provide assistance, according to Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin, whose services contacted the Australian Embassy in Brussels.
On January 5, France offered its “immediate operational assistance to fight fires, protect the population and preserve biodiversity”, according to President Macron. The French offer covers the dispatch of five experts and, if necessary, around 100 persons for logistical and scientific support.
Australia is benefiting from firefighter reinforcements provided by New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
In order to be activated, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, now strengthened by the rescEU air assets reserve, requires a formal request for assistance. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)