EU NEIGHBOURS. In response to one of the largest floods in western Ukraine in the past 50 years, four EU Member States (Denmark, Italy, Slovakia and Sweden) provided assistance to help the country manage the consequences of the disaster. The floods have caused several casualties and damages to hundreds of homes.
The assistance was requested by the Ukrainian authorities on 25 June through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. As of 6 July, the following aid was provided:
- Sweden sent technical experts, flood barriers and hoses
- an airplane from Italy delivered pumping equipment, personal safety material, chainsaws, power generators and tents
- Denmark delivered rescue helmets, headlamps, rescue ropes and drones
- Slovakia provided tents, pumping equipment, generators, lighting sets, chainsaws and wooden pallets.
In addition to this assistance, the European Commission is providing mapping services of the affected areas through the EU Copernicus satellite system.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates the cooperation in disaster response among 34 European states. When activated, the mechanism coordinates the provision of assistance inside and outside the EU. The European Commission manages the mechanism through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
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Photo: European Union
