The EU Emergency Response Coordination Center's request was for the dispatch of two air vehicles from Cyprus
Help to the Republic of North Macedonia to deal with the forest firesin the areas of Chashka and Sveti Nikole through the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union, Cyprus sent, as stated in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The request of the EU Emergency Response Coordination Center concerned the dispatch of two air vehicles from Cyprus to the Republic of North Macedonia to deal with the forest fires in the above areas.
Specifically, by order of the Director of the Forestry Department, Dr. Savva Ezekiel and after consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panagiotou, as well as relevant information from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, it was decided to send two Air Tractor type airplanes of Department of Forestry with four crew members and five ground support personnel.
According to the Department of Forestry, the departure of the planes took place today, Wednesday 7/8/2024 at 10:15 a.m. from Paphos airport bound for Skopje international airport (with a stopover at Rhodes airport for refueling). The mission is estimated to be in the Republic of North Macedonia around 5pm. where he will be briefed and given details about the mission, which will start early the next morning (8/8/2024) and will remain in the Republic of North Macedonia for five days.
Added that said aircraft are equipped with suitable equipment for refueling and use of foam, while they are also equipped with suitable telecommunication equipment both for communication with the Aircraft Unit in Larnaca, and for the transfer of information and photographic material to it.
It is added that these two aircraft have been included in the rescEU mechanism since mid-June 2024 (according to which Member States are funded to strengthen their means to respond to disasters with the commitment to use these means for the benefit of other member states when the need arises) and this particular one is their first mission.
The Republic of Cyprus has always responded to provide assistance towards the neighboring countries, either by making use of the provisions of transnational agreements or within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the announcement concludes.
Source: CYPE
