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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
News article4 May 2023Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Commissioner Lenarčič in Sweden to discuss civil protection support for Ukraine and the EU's disaster resilience

Row of firefighters in front of trucks.
© European Union, 2022 (photographer: Lisa Hastert)

On 4 May, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is in Stockholm to give a keynote speech at the “Forum Ukraine: Building Resilience for the Future”. 

The European Commission has been running its largest ever civil protection operation in support of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's aggression against the country. It has delivered almost 89,000 tonnes of life-saving equipment such as food, medicines, shelter or ambulances to Ukraine.

Furthermore, on 20 April, Ukraine has signed an agreement to join the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as a participating state – the foundation of European disaster management system.

Having recently returned from Ukraine, Commissioner Lenarčič will be able to shed light on Ukraine’s civil defence efforts during Russia’s war of aggression, while helping to steer the EU’s and its Member States’ ongoing support to Ukraine’s civil protection capacities in coping with the challenges.

During his visit to Sweden, Commissioner Lenarčič will hold meetings to further strengthen the EU's disaster resilience, including with Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Swedish Minister of Civil Defence; Cecilia Malmström, Former Commissioner of Trade and Home Affairs; Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director-General at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency; and Diana Janse, State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell.