The Republic of Moldova will get €1.7 million for purchasing land equipment within the EU-funded SMURD Emergency Medical Assistance Romania-Moldova-Ukraine Crossborder Project. The money will be used to purchase six units of transport – four extrication vehicles, a biochemical laboratory and a vehicle for transporting victims, IPN reports.

In as press briefing on August 9, Mihail Harabagiu, head of the Civil Protection and Emergencies Service, said that Moldova will buy the land equipment, while the Romanian side will purchase a helicopter for emergencies. The helicopter will intervene in emergencies all over Moldova, including Transnistria. Every state will cover the costs incurred by the helicopter for meeting their requests. The Moldovan patients will be taken to medical institutions in Moldova or to Romanian hospitals, if necessary.

Mihail Harabagiu assured that there will be experienced no problems as regards landing because the helicopter does not need special landing strips. The vehicles that will be bought by the Moldovan side will be used in Romania too. For example, the intervention teams from Cahul can provide assistance over the Prut more quickly as the nearest Romanian village is situated only 7 km from Cahul. No additional training is needed for using the new equipment as the personnel is trained.

The SMURD Emergency Medical Assistance Romania-Moldova-Ukraine Crossborder Project was launched on August 8. The €6.7 million project is financed by the EU through the Joint Operational Program Romania-Ukraine-Moldova