10 teams arrive in Turkey from the European Union

In the joint written statement made by the High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell, and the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, 10 teams were quickly mobilized to support the first to respond in the field.

In the statement published on the European Commission website, it was stated that the EU mobilized search and rescue teams for Turkey in response to the request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

“Search and rescue teams were quickly mobilized in 10 cities in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania to support first responders on the ground,” the statement said. Italy and Hungary also offered to send rescue teams to Turkey. The EU Emergency Response Coordination Center is in direct contact with the Turkish authorities to coordinate additional support if necessary.

The statement noted that the EU’s Copernicus satellite system was also activated to provide emergency mapping services, and that the EU was also ready to support those affected in Syria through humanitarian aid programmes.