Ukraine provided assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for the first time
For the first time in history, Ukraine has joined the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism as an assisting country. As part of this mission, 70 Ukrainian firefighters traveled to France to help fight large-scale wildfires.
On July 31, a Ukrainian firefighting team of 70 people left for France to help extinguish the forest fires.
Earlier, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ivan Vygivskyi announced that the mission is being carried out under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which coordinates mutual assistance among member states during emergencies.
According to Ursula von der Leyen, this is the first time Ukraine has provided assistance as a donor under the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
“While defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine is at the same time helping to save lives across Europe. This is European solidarity. Every day, Ukraine proves that its place is in our Union,” emphasized the President of the European Commission.
The participation of Ukrainian rescue workers in disaster relief efforts in France marks an important milestone in cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union. The European Commission emphasizes that this step demonstrates Ukraine’s readiness not only to receive international support but also to provide assistance to other European countries.
This was reported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Ukraine has sent a combined detachment of State Emergency Service (SES) rescuers to France to assist in combating the large-scale wildfires that have engulfed certain regions of the country. Ukrainian specialists will assist French services in extinguishing the fires and conducting rescue operations.
The French Prime Minister has postponed his vacation due to the massive wildfires.
More than 300,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain due to massive wildfires that have engulfed regions of Southern Europe. In southwestern France, in the Gironde region, more than 220,000 residents have left their homes. The fire there has spread across approximately 32,700 hectares.
As a reminder, French passengers who purchased train tickets to the region around Bordeaux will be able to exchange or refund them free of charge. This decision was made due to the large-scale wildfires that have complicated the situation in the area.
