EU mobilises additional support for Albania

On November 28th, Albanian authorities again activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, seeking engineers of the facility with the aim of measuring damage in buildings. Italy and Greece have offered to help Albania in this direction.

In addition, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Team is working closely with local authorities and donors for a unified assessment of needs, with priority providing material assistance.

Last night, the EU delegation chaired a meeting of EU member states, non-EU members participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as international partners and organisations (UN agencies, USAID), etc.), on emergency response.

The European Union continues to support Albania in this difficult time. We will provide assistance in this emergency as long as necessary. Rescue search teams, mobilised through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, are on the ground. I'd like to thank Italy and Greece for already offering additional support through the Mechanism,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Assistance and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

EU Ambassador Louis Soreca declared today: “The European Union and its member states are standing alongside Albania and working without a stop to provide assistance at this very difficult moment. Experts in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and ten EU member states are currently on the ground to assist central and local authorities. It's a week of deep and tragic grief for Albania. Our heartfelt condolences go once again to the Albanian people, and especially to the families, friends and communities of those who have lost their lives. ”

The European Union has sent a Civil Protection Team helping authorities coordinate our response and assess the damage. Our goal is to help the Albanian people suffer the consequences of this” earthquake, said EU Civil Protection Team Leader Peter Glerum. The European Civil Protection Team has its base at the EU Delegation in Tirana and consists of experts from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Two experts from the assessment and co-ordination of the UN disaster (UNDAC) are also the commanded part of this team.

The European system “Copernicus” regularly produces satellite images of affected areas in order to assist in providing field assistance. The European Union's Emergency Response Co-ordination Centre with regime 24/7 is in constant contact with Albanian authorities and continues to monitor the situation. /Time News/