Hadja Lahbib praises Romania / European commissioner highlights 49 interventions in support of other states over the past decade

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib praised Romania on Thursday for its contribution to the European Civil Protection Mechanism and the support it has provided to states affected by disasters. She noted that Romania has intervened in support of other countries 49 times over the past ten years, while requesting European assistance on ten occasions.

This year, Romania sent 200 firefighters on missions to France and Greece. Of these, 80 were pre-positioned in France, while 40 took part in the response in Bordeaux after the European mechanism was activated. Another 120 Romanian firefighters are in Greece until next week.

Lahbib also highlighted the fact that the first helicopter from the new rescEU fleet, based in Romania, has begun taking part in missions. The aircraft and Romanian teams were mobilized, including following Serbia’s request for assistance.

The European commissioner also noted that Romania contributed to the evacuation of more than 180 patients from Gaza, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Switzerland, including 57 children from Gaza. She linked crisis preparedness to social inclusion and warned that wars, drone attacks, sabotage, fires and health emergencies are making crises increasingly complex.