PSD MEPs in the European Parliament questioned today the European Commission about the EU's willingness to take over the acquisition and reinforcement of medical equipment and resources, to help Member States in combating the pandemic caused by Covid-19.
The Portuguese MEPs advocate in their priority question for written answer the use of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM) assistance, activated upon official request by Member States, to help save human lives and respond to one of the worst catastrophes of our times. The European mechanism could also be used for set-up of field hospitals and emergency medical teams, as well as procurement of ventilators, masks and further personal protective equipment.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated in late January, following a request for assistance from France, to repatriate EU citizens who were in the Chinese region of Wuhan, including 20 Portuguese. There are currently several situations of Portuguese citizens struggling to return to Portugal.
PSD MEPs underlined as well that, during the past few weeks, Covid-19 - now with an epicentre in Europe - has caused thousands of deaths and forced the restriction of the fundamental rights of millions of European citizens. There is therefore the need for enhanced solidarity among Member States to tackle the challenges and save human lives, and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism can be an important instrument to achieve it.