EU Delegation/EUSR Sarajevo would like to take the opportunity to clarify what assistance is provided by European Union mechanisms in the case of wild fires.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism exists to coordinate assistance from its 32 participating countries if an affected country requests help (such as fire-fighting helicopters and airplanes, and personnel with fire-fighting equipment).

In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an offer of a fire-fighting helicopter was made through the European Commission’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC).

The MIC, which is the operational heart of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, communicates requests and offers of assistance; it can coordinate joint fire-fighting operations and can participate in the assessment of damage.

The MIC’s civil protection experts are in regular contact with their national counterparts, exchanging information and discussing potential needs. The Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS) facilitates communication between the MIC and national authorities, making response to disasters faster and more effective. The Civil Protection Mechanism can also co-finance the transport of assistance to the affected area.

For further info for media:

European Forest Fire Information System:

http://effis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/

European Civil Protection:

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/civil_protection/civil/index.htm

Media interviews with EU civil protection experts in Brussels can be arranged via the press team of Commissioner Georgieva, contact: irina.novakova@ec.europa.eu