Nicosia: The European Union has launched a significant emergency response to combat unprecedented wildfires sweeping through France and Spain, leading to the displacement of over 300,000 residents. Assistance has been deployed under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to aid in what has become one of the largest evacuation operations in Europe.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the EU has dispatched a fleet of seven planes and four helicopters to France, sourced from countries including Czechia, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, and Trkiye, with many of these aircraft being part of the rescEU firefighting fleet. In Spain, six planes from Greece, Italy, and Trkiye have been mobilized, alongside 134 personnel and 41 vehicles provided by Portugal.
The EU is also leveraging its Copernicus satellite service to produce rapid emergency maps, supporting efforts on the ground. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in constant communication with French and Spanish authorities to evaluate and potentially increase aid. A European Commission liaison officer has been stationed in Bordeaux to assist in the coordination of EU resources.
In a proactive move, firefighting units from other EU nations were pre-positioned in France and Spain before the onset of the fire season, facilitating immediate reinforcement of local responders. Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, emphasized the importance of a collective response during such crises, stating that Europe's shared resources are crucial in tackling disasters of this magnitude.
When assistance is requested through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the appeal is circulated among 37 participating nations, each capable of offering resources such as aircraft, firefighting teams, or expertise. The European Commission oversees the coordination and co-financing of these deployments. If national contributions are insufficient, the EU can utilize its rescEU strategic reserve, comprising 22 planes and five helicopters, to bolster efforts.