Following a request for assistance from Italy, high-capacity pumping teams from Slovakia and Slovenia have been mobilised to the Emilia Romagna region via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to help the Italian authorities deal with heavy floods.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Poland and Romania have also responded to Italy’s request for assistance, after severe weather conditions have caused floods and landslides in the past days, affecting particularly the northern-central region of Emilia Romagna.
The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in constant contact with the Italian authorities, who are currently assessing the offers, and the EU stands ready to provide further help if needed.
The EU's Copernicus service has also provided emergency satellite mapping of the affected areas, following a request from the Italian civil protection authority on 16 May.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The EU stands in full solidarity with Italy after the recent deadly floods. Our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones, as well as with those that have seen their homes damaged. I would like to thank the Italian first responders for their efforts and to the eight countries that have offered assistance to the Italian people at this difficult time. This is a concrete example of how the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is there to offer concrete help whenever needed.”
Details
- Publication date
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22 May 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
