The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated upon the request of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday evening due to severe flooding that has affected large areas of both countries. High capacity water pumps and expert teams which operate them are urgently needed in Serbia, while Bosnia and Herzegovina has called for helicopters and motor boats to evacuate people and to transport water, medicines and food.
Within hours of a Serbian request for assistance Germany, Bulgaria, Austria and Slovenia offered help. Their offers, made through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, will be deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to the flooded areas in Serbia as soon as possible.
“I am grateful to our German, Bulgarian, Austrian and Slovenian colleagues for this swift demonstration of solidarity. Once again we’ve demonstrated that the EU’s neighbouring countries can count on us in difficult times”
said Kristalina Georgieva, the European Union Commissioner for international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response.
The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is in close contact with both affected countries and with participating states in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to investigate the possibilities of further assistance.
