The EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated and the first EU experts are deployed onsite in Macedonia following the deadly floods that struck in the Skopje area on 06 August.
On 6 August, areas around Skopje, Macedonia were struck by major flash floods when 93 mm of rain fell in the space of 3 hours. The flash floods caused over 20 deaths and many injuries. Homes and key infrastructure are severely damaged and over one thousand people had to be evacuated.
Macedonia activated the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism following recent flash floods and landslides that caused multiple casualties in the outskirts of its capital city Skopje.
A team of technical experts will be deployed on 9 August to assess the damage caused and to provide recommendations to the national and local civil protection authorities.
Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said:
“The EU stands ready to support the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at this time of need. Right now we are in contact with the national authorities in Skopje and the other participating states in the Mechanism to coordinate a swift response to the request. We are already sending a humanitarian expert today and a civil protection team will follow as of tomorrow. I encourage offers of assistance to come in as quickly as possible. We’re also prepared to provide humanitarian assistance in case needed.”
The Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is coordinating assistance through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism to assist the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Humanitarian partners of the Commission are present in the country to support the EU response and to further assess humanitarian needs.
Satellite Images of the Skopje Floods
The European Commission is also providing Copernicus satellite imagery to the emergency services operating in the affected areas.
Copernicus Emergency Management, mapping the floods in Skopje, say that the worst affected areas are the villages of Stajkovci and Aračinovo, as well as Skopje’s suburbs of Butel, Cento and upper Lisice. The maps below show (in light blue) the areas affected. See the full version of the map here (PDF).
About the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates the cooperation in disaster response among 34 European states (28 EU Member States, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Norway, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey). These participating states pool the resources that can be made available to disaster-stricken countries all over the world. When activated, the Mechanism coordinates the provision of assistance inside and outside the European Union. The European Commission manages the Mechanism through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
Macedonia was badly hit by flooding in August last year and received assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Aracinovo
C - Creshevo
Magnitude
Skopje-Zajcev Rid - August 6 to August 7, 2016
Damages
August 6 to August 7, 2016
As of 09 August, the death toll increased from 21 to 22 after the body of a missing flood victim was found. According to Macedonia officials, several people remain missing.
August 6 to August 7, 2016
