In August 2024 North Macedonia hit by wave of wildfires, which spread across the country, destroying homes, forcing residents to evacuate and causing the tragic death of an elderly resident. A total of 66 fires, one of which also covered Greek territory. Faced with the escalation of the crisis, the European Union deployed firefighting aircraft and helicopters to support the national services.

The Global Empowerment Mission Europe team quickly mobilised to support the affected communities.We visited the most affected areas - Novo Selo, Sveti Nikole and Karbinci - where many residents have been displaced or suffered serious material losses. In cooperation with local authorities, we distributed family emergency kits, containing food, hygiene products, water and other items needed to function after a disaster.

In addition to helping civilians, we also responded to the urgent needs of local firefighting units. Many of them, including the team in Sveti Nikole, were struggling with the serious shortcomings in modern protective equipment, which made it difficult to carry out effective rescue and firefighting operations. To reduce this risk, GEM Europe provided firefighters with professional protective masks, increasing their safety when working in hazardous conditions.

The mission highlighted both the human and infrastructural challenges posed by natural disasters and emphasised the importance of equipping rescuers with the right tools. Our activities were not only intended to provide ad hoc support for reconstruction, but also to strengthening local resilience to future crises.

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