EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism helps Serbia cope with refugee influx

Serbia has activated the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism to benefit from material support to help cope with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is working closely with the Serbian authorities and the other participating states in the Mechanism to coordinate a swift response to the request. Serbia has requested material support for beds, mattresses, hygiene items, vehicles, fuel and food. “I call upon EU member states to show solidarity towards Serbia at this time of need. We are in close contact with the authorities in Belgrade to help coordinate the swift delivery of material support offered by participating states,” said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides. A factsheet on the Civil Protection Mechanism is available here.