In October 2001, the European Commission established the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU Member States and 8 Participating States on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.
When an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country in Europe and beyond it can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Having a well-coordinated joint response means that when national authorities are overwhelmed, they have one point of contact, rather than multiple to deal with. A joint approach further helps to pool expertise and capacities of first responders, avoids duplication of relief efforts, and ensures that assistance meets the needs of those affected.
The European Commission established the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in 2001 to support strengthened cooperation between the EU Member States and eight additional Participating States on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.
By pooling together civil protection capacities and capabilities, it allows for a stronger and more coherent collective response. In addition to the EU Member States, there are currently eight Participating States to the Mechanism (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye). The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has responded to over 420 requests for assistance inside and outside the EU since it began in 2001.
The Mechanism also helps to coordinate disaster preparedness and prevention activities of national authorities and contributes to the exchange of best practices. This facilitates the continuous development of higher common standards enabling teams to better understand different approaches and work interchangeably when a disaster strikes.
In response to COVID-19, the EU has channeled tens of thousands of protective masks, medical gloves and 30 ventilators coming from the strategic rescEU reserve to countries in need.
Find out more about the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and how it is helping in prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.
