Boka: Hungary activated IPCR crisis response mechanism

Janos Boka said on Facebook that the mechanism enabled central European member states severely affected by the extreme weather conditions and flooding to coordinate protection tasks.

The affected member states could also decide how the EU can most effectively help them carry out their tasks, he added.

The activation of the mechanism was needed because unprecedented severe weather conditions have resulted in extreme floods in several states including Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, he said. Several of these countries have announced a state of emergency, he added.

A coordination centre will meet on Tuesday morning and its work will enable experts to monitor the flood situation and specify the support needed, and generally coordinate with EU institutions, he said.

The Hungarian presidency is ready to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism if the member states express a need for it, he said.