On 19 March, the European Commission announced its decision to create a strategic rescEU stockpile of medical equipment to help EU countries struggling with the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. This first-ever stockpile will include medical equipment such as ventilators, reusable masks, vaccines, once available, and laboratory supplies.

In a press statement, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: "The EU is taking action to get more equipment to Member States. We are setting up a rescEU stockpile to rapidly get the supplies needed to fight the coronavirus. It will be used to support Member States facing shortages of equipment needed to treat infected patients, protect health care workers and help slow the spread of the virus. Our plan is to move ahead without delay.”

“It should now be clear to everyone that we are all in this together. That’s why we have to work constructively and focus on solutions.”

The rescEU stockpile will be hosted by one or several EU Member States, with 90% of the financing coming from the European Commission.

.@EU_Commission is creating a #rescEU stockpile of medical equipment to rapidly get the supplies needed to Member States to fight #COVID19 so they will be equipped to treat patients, protect health care workers and help slow the spread of #coronavirus.

👉https://t.co/pt757n0Lz1 pic.twitter.com/fds9ksZr7O

— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) March 19, 2020

“Our crisis management structures are mobilised”

Statement by @JanezLenarcic on the creation of the #rescEU stockpile of medical equipment #COVID19 ↓https://t.co/U39PhIy1za

— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) March 19, 2020