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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article29 November 2019Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Albania: EU mobilises additional emergency support following deadly earthquakes

The European Union is mobilizing additional emergency support amid the strongest earthquake in decades and numerous aftershocks in Albania.

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The European Union is mobilizing additional emergency support amid the strongest earthquake in decades and numerous aftershocks in Albania. The EU Civil protection Mechanism was activated at the request of the Albanian authorities on 26 November. In addition to 3 search and rescue teams of more than 200 staff already deployed to Albania, the European Union is helping address Albania's request for additional support such as in-kind assistance and structural engineers. “The European Union continues to support Albania at this challenging time. We will provide emergency help for as long as needed. Search and rescue teams, mobilized through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, are on the ground. I would like to thank Italy and Greece for already offering additional support through the Mechanism,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. Copernicus system has already produced 6 satellite images of the affected zones. The European Union's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in constant contact with the Albanian authorities and continues to monitor the situation. The EU has deployed a Civil Protection Team, which is helping the authorities coordinate the response and assess the damage. On Wednesday, President Juncker sent a letter of condolences to Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama. A statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides is also available online.

For more information:

Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322
Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140

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