Estonia to provide assistance to families left homeless by forest fires in Russia
13.08.2010
Nr 248-E
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to provide 100,000 euros of assistance to people who have lost homes and property in Russia in the wake of wildfires in Russia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet noted that over 3,500 people have lost their homes due to extensive wildfires and 53 people had been killed. "In many cases, entire villages have burned. We want to do what we can to help ease the situation for these people in their severe plight and help them go on with their lives,“ said Paet.
Yesterday Estonia dispatched to Russia a shipment of firefighting equipment, which is expected to arrive tonight. The four pumps and 10 kilometers of hoses along with equipment and fittings will be delivered by two Rescue Board instructors, who will provide instructions for using the equipment and hand it over to the Russian Emergencies Ministry.
Over 3 million kroons (close to 200,000 euros) of assistance from the Foreign Ministry's budget will be provided to assist the families and to send the firefighting equipment.
A state of emergency has been declared in a number of regions in Russia. As of this morning, Russia had experienced 26,739 wildfires over an area of 816,515 hectares in recent weeks. At the moment, 562 fires continue to burn on 81,015 hectares. In addition to the death toll of 53, a total of 741 people have needed medical assistance.
