The less seriously injured patients have been treated in hospitals in North Macedonia. 

Seventy-five patients were transported for treatment outside the country through bilateral action, mostly by the neighbouring countries Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, but also Türkiye and Austria, in the very early hours following the catastrophe and before the Government even activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM). Under the mechanism, the EU provided evacuation and medical treatment for 40 patients; 13 member states offered treatment and 11 member states and 1 participating state deployed transport means. Other countries, including Belgium and the Czech Republic, mobilised medical teams travelling to North Macedonia to help authorities with the treatment of patients. 

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EU

Where a man-made or natural catastrophe strikes, participants in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (in addition to the EU Member States, there are 10 more participating states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine) can contact the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) to request assistance. Once the mechanism is activated, and the requesting country has specified its assistance needs, EU countries and participating states can offer emergency assistance, including places in specialised hospital units abroad. The ERCC coordinates the deployment and delivery of the assistance with the EU covering 75% of logistical costs. 

The Ministry of Health of North Macedonia is assessing the needs for medical equipment, which could be requested through the UCPM. The EU remains in close contact with the national authorities in North Macedonia and stands ready to mobilise more assistance if needed.

Once again, the EUCPM has proven to be a powerful instrument of European solidarity providing relief to partners in times of need.