EU sends emergency medical supplies to Ukraine amid fears of Russian invasion

BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Reuters) – The European Union has delivered emergency medical supplies to Ukraine following a request from Kiev amid an escalating crisis with Russia, the European Commission said on Saturday.

The request was made by Ukraine on Tuesday, amid growing fears of an imminent Russian invasion. Read more

So far, emergency aid has come from France, Romania, Slovenia, Ireland and Austria, the Commission said.

France sent a field hospital, medicines and hundreds of tents, blankets, sleeping bags. Additional aid, including medical equipment and generators, has been deployed by other EU countries. More help is expected in the coming days.

“Following a request for emergency aid from the Ukrainian government due to the threat of further escalation, the European Commission is coordinating the delivery of essential supplies to support the civilian population,” an EU statement said.

When the scale of an emergency exceeds a country’s response capabilities, it can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which coordinates assistance from the EU and other countries. Europeans.

Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio Editing by Mark Potter

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