Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič announced on Thursday the creation of a 'rescEU' stockpile of medical equipment with the aim of tackling shortages in member states.

The move comes as the EU27 bloc is facing severe shortages of medical equipment, with France and Germany imposing restrictions on the export of medical equipment.

The stockpile "will be used to support Member States facing shortages of equipment needed to treat infected patients, protect health care workers an...