Minister Glenn Bedingfield Speaks With Maltese Officers Fighting Wildfires in Portugal

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield has revealed that he has been in contact with Maltese Civil Protection Department (CPD) officers currently deployed to Portugal to assist local firefighters in tackling the country’s ongoing wildfires.

Bedingfield shared the update on Facebook, highlighting the work being carried out by the Maltese team alongside their Portuguese counterparts.

The officers travelled to Portugal on Sunday, 16 August, as part of the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism wildfire pre-positioning programme. The initiative is coordinated by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and aims to strengthen firefighting capacity across Europe during the high-risk summer season.

The latest deployment came on the same day that Malta’s first group of CPD officers returned home after completing their own mission in Portugal, where they had supported local authorities in responding to the wildfire emergency.

Bedingfield’s contact with the latest group comes as Maltese personnel continue to contribute to international efforts against the devastating fires.

The minister’s update also highlights Malta’s role in European cooperation during emergencies, with CPD personnel once again stepping in to provide assistance and support when their expertise is needed abroad.

#MaltaDaily