Steven Vanackere – B-Fast emergency aid on the way to Romania
This morning a 9-strong B-Fast team headed off for Romania to deliver Belgian emergency aid for people living in the areas hit by floods in the northeastern part of the country (the counties of Dâmboviţa, Vâlcea and Neamţ) during the night from 1 to 2 July. The dispatched team comprises an 8-strong operational Civil Protection unit and a male nurse specialised in emergency healthcare provision, and is taking with it five electric generators, 11 pumps, a water purification station and 5,000 jerry cans.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere said it was vital for our country to respond immediately to Romania’s plea for help and come to the aid of a very badly hit local population. “This gesture vis-à-vis one of our EU partners is all the more important now that Belgium has assumed the presidency of the Union. Belgium has always championed greater mutual solidarity between European partners in the event of a crisis or natural catastrophe”, added the minister, who also chairs the B-Fast Coordination Council.
As part of a coordinated European aid effort, B-Fast will pick up an additional load of equipment in Austria. The team is due to reach the affected parts of Romania during Monday night and will stay put for at least 6 days. The estimated cost of the operation, which is being monitored and coordinated by the SPF Foreign Affairs, is €100,000.
