EU civil protection mechanism supports countries affected by Middle East crisis

The European Union is mobilising assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism following the activation from Cyprus and Egypt.

Cyprus seeks support concerning the arrival of refugees, while Egypt needs to strengthen its healthcare system in managing the influx of wounded Palestinians from Gaza, including some EU citizens.

Through the mechanism, the EU is delivering sleeping bags and tents offered by Greece to Cyprus and anaesthesia machines and other medical equipment provided by Sweden and Spain for Egypt.

In addition, the EU mobilised critical medical equipment for Egypt including ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and ultrasound machines, from the rescEU medical stockpiles in Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands. The estimated financial value of the rescEU donation stands at €1 million.

3 EU liaison officers have also so far been deployed to Cairo, Egypt and Larnaca, Cyprus, to support the coordination efforts for operations.

The EU is also supporting member states for Gaza evacuations following the activation of the civil protection mechanism by the Netherlands for the repatriation of Dutch nationals stranded in Gaza.

• 1 repatriation flight took place on 4 November, carrying Dutch and Belgian Nationals
• 2 buses have also been made available via rescEU to carry evacuees from Rafah to Cairo
• Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also made use of this service.      

As of 16 November, around 1,340 EU citizens including family members have been evacuated through the Rafah border crossing.