The EU’s civil defence mechanism is to be upgraded to boost disaster response. Parliament wants to ensure that member states respond more effectively to natural and man-made disasters. A reserve of emergency resources called RescEU will be set up to complement the existing resources of member states.

EU politics

rights of the individual

climate change

EU regional policy

Environment

Strengthening the EU’s disaster response

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11156540/N01-PUB-190218-CIVI-EN.srt

Forest fires, storms and floods wreaked devastation across Europe in 2017 and 2018.

The EU Civil Protection mechanism was built to respond to these disasters. 

Now Parliament is pushing to upgrade the system

so the EU can act more quickly and efficiently in the event of a disaster.

The mechanism of civil protection works to strengthen

The law also sets up a new apparatus called RescEU.

It's a reserve of resources such as forest fire fighting planes,

special water pumps, field hospitals and medical teams.

The aim is to provide support for member states

who need more resources to cope with a disaster

– especially if several countries are dealing with the same emergency at the same time.

The civil protection mechanism is based on the subsidiarity principle.

That's why it's up to the member states to activate it

when they are not able to face emergencies.

billions of euros worth of damage to infrastructure across Europe,