European solidarity is at work to help Croatia which, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, was hit by a powerful earthquake near Zagreb early on the morning of Sunday 22 March, causing extensive material damage.
As soon as the EU's civil protection mechanism was activated by the country, which currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU Council, the European response to the Croatian request for assistance "was immediate", tents, camp beds, electric heaters and sleeping bags have been offered and are on their way, the Commission said on Monday.
"The EU is there to help Croatia in these difficult times. EU support is already on its way. I am very grateful to Slovenia, Hungary, Austria and Italy for their offers through our civil protection mechanism. Our thoughts go out to all concerned and to the first responders in Croatia. We stand ready to provide further assistance", said EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič on Monday.
A few hours earlier, he had called on Member States to "demonstrate full #solidarity with people of #Zagreb", stressing that the earthquake had occurred "at the most unfortunate time, since all countries are fighting against COVID-19". Message received loud and clear.
In addition, the EU's Copernicus programme is helping to provide satellite maps to help Croatia get an accurate picture of the damage in the affected areas, Commission chief spokesman Eric Mamer said on Monday.
On Sunday, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, both expressed EU solidarity to the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic. The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, had assured on Twitter that "The European Union is ready to do whatever it can to help". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)