The repatriation of European citizens stranded in non-Member States due to the COVID-19 crisis is continuing, while preparations are progressing for the establishment of the RescEU stockpile of medical equipment under the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism, the Commission said on Monday 30 March.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, about 250,000 people have been repatriated thanks to flights organised by Member States with EU consular coordination (EEAS service, EU delegations, Member States' embassies).
4,384 citizens were repatriated by flights co-financed by the EU through the Civil Protection Mechanism from the following non-Member States: China, Japan, United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Vietnam, Philippines, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Cape Verde, Georgia, Gambia, Senegal, Haiti and Malaysia.
Much remains to be done to repatriate more than 400,000 citizens who still wish to return home. "100 flights are planned this week", according to European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič.
As for the equipment promised by China (see EUROPE 12455/14), it has not yet arrived, but a Commission spokesman assured Monday that the EU and Beijing had agreed on the transport and that “the aid will indeed be earmarked for Italy”.
Medical equipment. Preparations for the operationalisation of the RescEU stockpile of medical equipment are progressing (see EUROPE 12456/8, 12450/1).
A Commission spokesperson expressed confidence in the outcome of the talks with the six Member States in contention. "One or more Member States will host the stockpile. The Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) will manage the distribution. We expect rapid developments", the spokesperson said.
In order for the stockpile to be operational, the Member State(s) who will have been chosen will need to order this equipment and make it available to help those most in need. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)