European solidarity has been at work since last weekend, helping Cyprus to fight the massive and deadly forest fires in the Limassol district. In response to a request for assistance from the Cypriot authorities to the Civil Protection Mechanism on Saturday 3 July, the EU immediately mobilised air assets from the RescEU pool hosted by Greece (two aircraft) and Italy (also two aircraft).
The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite mapping programme was also activated to help Cyprus to gain a detailed picture of the damage and its extent.
“I am thankful to Greece and Italy for their rapid reaction and their tangible solidarity. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the first responders who are risking their lives to battle the fires,” said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, adding that the EU stands ready to provide further assistance.
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is in constant contact with the Cypriot authorities in order to closely monitor the situation and provide any further assistance necessary.
The EU prepared for the fire season by pre-positioning aircraft from the RescEU reserve in June and issuing guidelines for Member States to strengthen their fire prevention measures (see EUROPE 12745/22). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)