Italy and Poland have become the first EU member states to react to Bulgaria's request to help the combat against its massive floods and prevent new disasters amid the severely cold weather in the country.

On Monday, eight Bulgarians lost their lives as a dam wall burst and flooded the Southern Bulgarian village of Biser. Bulgaria is among the European countries hit by severe winter conditions and heavy snowfalls.

On Tuesday, Bulgaria contacted European Civil Protection Mechanism, requesting 80 000 sandbags, 50 tents equipped for winter conditions and 2000 square meters of geotextile.

Italy has already offered tents, while Poland has proposed to participate with geotextile and sandbags, the European Commission has announced, as cited by BGNES.

Several other states are expected to offer assistance.

"This fast reaction to Bulgaria's signal proves the European solidarity with our country in times when Italy and Poland themselves are struggling to cope with the consequences of their severe winter," Bulgaria's EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Crisis Response and International Cooperation Kristalina Georgiava commented on Wednesday.

If the European Civil Protection Mechanism is activated, the Monitorng and Information Centre can facilitate the provision of civil protection assistance (tents, blankets, heaters, etc). It can also deploy an EU civil protection team with specific expertise.

The Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated in extreme winter conditions before – though under very different circumstances. In January 2010 the United Kingdom and the Netherlands suffered heavy snowfalls and requested road salt for unblocking motorways.

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