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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Project

European Multiple Environmental Threats Emergency Network (EMETNET)

EU Member States differ in their ability to (rapidly) assess both natural and man-made disaster risks. As recognised by the EU Decisions 1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism and 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health, there is a need to strengthen and improve cooperation and coordination in the fields of civil and health protection in particular to improve the prevention, preparedness and response to natural or man-made disasters that can impact upon one or more Member States.

The EMETNET project will provide a simple, robust and authoritative methodology to support the EU and Member States in undertaking rapid risk and impact assessments of emerging environmental threats. It will create a pilot network of independent risk assessors (back office) to support the Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the Health Emergency Operations Facility in the rapid scientific assessment of risks, to inform responders in the field and to contribute to harmonised risk management. Lessons learnt from past disasters, best practise identified in previous EU-funded projects and from stakeholder engagement with other European and Member States’ authorities will help to ensure that the proposed approach is consistent with the needs of EU and Member States. The methodology and mechanism developed for serious cross-border chemical health threats (ECHEMNET project) will be expanded to allow the assessment of a broader range of emerging disaster risks in Europe.

This approach will: support the existing exchange of information between the ERCC/HEOF in responding to such threats; help EU Member States through sharing and learning best practise; identify professionals with expertise in assessing the risks associated with a broad range of environmental hazards.

Beneficiary

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
Coordinator's Address
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
3721 MA Bilthoven
The Netherlands

Coordinator's Website: www.rivm.nl/en

Project coordinators

Presentation at the kick off meeting