FACTS & FIGURES

The European Union Civil Protection

Mechanism has been activated over 300
times since 2001 to respond to
emergencies.

The Mechanism pools together response

capacities from 34 participating states.

The Mechanism can be deployed inside the

EU and around the world.

The Commission’s proposal to improve

disaster prevention, preparedness and
response capacities (rescEU) is currently
© Vladimir Rodas under negotiation.

Last updated 03/09/2018

European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

EU Civil Protection
What is it?
Civil protection assistance consists of governmental aid delivered in preparation for, or in the immediate aftermath of a
disaster in Europe and worldwide. It takes the form of in-kind assistance, deployment of specially-equipped teams, or
experts assessing and coordinating support in the field. All EU Member States, and Iceland, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey are participating states to the European Union Civil Protection
Mechanism. A proposal by the European Commission to strengthen the support to Member States in better responding and
preparing for disasters is currently under negotiation.

Why is this important?

Natural and man-made disasters know no borders and can occur at any moment. A well-coordinated response at European
level allows avoiding duplication of relief efforts and ensures that assistance meets the real needs of the affected region.
When a disaster cannot be dealt by one country alone, participating states step in and provide assistance via the European
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM). The Mechanism was established in 2001 to foster cooperation among national
civil protection authorities across Europe. It enables a more rapid and effective response to emergencies by coordinating
and financially supporting the delivery of civil protection teams and assets to the affected country and population.

European Civil
Protection and
Humanitarian Aid
Operations
How are we helping?
Emergency Response Coordination Centre
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is the hub of the Mechanism that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. It coordinates the delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken countries, such as relief items, expertise, intervention
teams and specific equipment. The ERCC can ensure rapid deployment of emergency support through a direct link with
national civil protection authorities.

The ERCC also provides emergency communications and monitoring tools through the Common Emergency Communication
and Information System (CECIS), a web-based alert and notification application enabling real time exchange of
information.

Since 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) has been activated more than 300 times by countries seeking
European assistance in responding to emergencies. The EUCPM supported people in some of the most devastating
disasters in Europe and around the world.

Beyond European borders, the Mechanism was activated in 2017 in response to devastating floods in Peru, the earthquake
in Mexico and hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean. In 2015, the EUCPM supported Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Serbia
and Slovenia in responding to migrants’ and refugees’ needs, such as providing sleeping bags, heaters and hygiene kits.

Civil protection operations can also be supported by satellite maps produced by the Copernicus Emergency Management
Service. Copernicus provides timely and very precise geospatial information that is useful to plan disaster relief operations.

Emergency Response Capacity

In 2014, European countries created the European Emergency Response Capacity (EERC) to further enhance European
preparedness for disasters. As part of the EUCPM, the EERC is a voluntary pool of resources that consists of relief teams,
experts and equipment. Participating states make these resources available and keep them on standby for future
worldwide deployment. The voluntary pool allows for a faster, more effective EU response to disasters and it ensures
better coordination of EU operations.

Prevention and Preparedness

The European Commission supports and complements the prevention and preparedness efforts of participating states by
focusing on areas where a joint European approach is more effective than separate national actions. Improving the quality
of and accessibility to disaster information, encouraging research to prepare and prevent disasters and reinforcing early
warning tools are key to mitigate effects of disasters and save lives. In addition, the Mechanism provides training and
exercise programmes for experts to enhance and share their expert knowledge.

The Commission proposal to strengthen EU disaster management

In November 2017, the Commission proposed to strengthen the collective European response to disasters, especially when
several disasters hit at the same time. The Commission proposes two complementary strands of action:

1. A stronger collective response at European level via the development of a reserve capacity (known as ‘rescEU’) that will
complement national capacities.
2. Stepping up disaster prevention and preparedness.

In addition, streamlined procedures allow for an even faster response and higher financial support will allow alleviating the
economic consequences of emergency.

European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - B-1049 Brussels, Belgium - E-mail: echo-info@ec.europa.eu
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/echo - Facebook: @ec.humanitarian.aid - Twitter: @eu_echo - Instagram: @eu_echo