Naturalis in Leiden is among the 12 most important natural history museums in the world which have pledged their long-term support for the National Museum in Brazil that was devastated in a massive fire on Sunday.

It not quite clear how the institutions, which include museums from France, the United States, Great Britain, Denmark and Belgium, are going to lend a helping hand.

Naturalis director Edwin van Huis told broadcaster NOS. ‘When we heard about the fire we immediately wanted to do something. But what?’

One of the options Van Huis is considering is sending a team of experts to Brazil to help restore the damaged collection but the museum is free to ask for what it needs. ‘This is an open invitation, we are ready,’ he said.

The Museu Nacional, which was established in 1818, was the largest natural history museum across the American continents and home to countless artifacts and specimens which ‘hold incalculable value to science’, the statement said.

The museums have said they will commit to supporting the efforts to salvage the collection for ‘the coming weeks, months and years’.