The EU is sending to India a shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment, over the next few days, after the country requested support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission. This support has been made in accordance with the organized effort by the EU Member States currently ongoing to pool their resources in responding quickly to tackle the overwhelming pandemic situation in India. The EU Member States are delivering the following:

• Ireland: 700 oxygen concentrators; 1 oxygen generator; 365 ventilators;
• Belgium: 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines Remdesivir;
• Romania: 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders;
• Luxembourg: 58 ventilators;
• Portugal: 5,503 vials of Remdesivir; 20,000 litres of oxygen per week.
• Sweden 120 ventilators.

More support from other Member States is expected to be given soon, including from France and Germany.

EU Civil Protection Mechanism

The goal of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is to strengthen cooperation between the EU Member States and 6 Participating States in the area of civil protection, with a view to improving prevention, preparedness and disaster response. When the scale of an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism. Through the Mechanism, the European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters in Europe and beyond and contributes to at least 75% of the transport and/or operational costs of deployments.

Following a request for assistance through the Mechanism, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre mobilises assistance or expertise. The Centre monitors events around the globe 24/7 and ensures rapid deployment of emergency support through a direct link with national civil protection authorities. Specialised teams and equipment, such as forest firefighting planes, search and rescue, and medical teams can be mobilised at short notice for deployments inside and outside Europe.

Any country in the world, but also the United Nations and its agencies or a relevant international organisation, can call on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for help. In 2020, the Mechanism was activated more than 90 times.

Image © European Parliament, 2020