The EU Civil Protection Mechanism
In October 2001, the European Commission established the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU Member States and 6 Participating States on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism
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 six 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 six Participating States to the Mechanism (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Turkey). 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.
Find out more about the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and how it is helping in prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.
Emergencies
Activation
Since 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated more than 420 times to respond to emergencies.
Response capacities
EU Member States and 6 Participating States
The Mechanism pools response capacities from all EU Member States and 6 Participating States.
Deployment
EU and around the world
The Mechanism can be deployed inside the EU and around the world.
RescEU reserve
COVID-19
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.