Due to climate change, we are seeing ‘once in a lifetime’ weather events more and more frequently.
Wildfires in Portugal and in Slovenia. Floods in Pakistan. Tropical storms in Madagascar. We cannot tackle these threats alone. If we want to protect our homes and families, the only way is to work together.
By bringing together experts from across Europe, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism helps countries in Europe and beyond prepare for climate-related disasters, respond quickly and protect what’s most important to us.
It’s only by working together that we can stay one step ahead.
How Greece helped Portugal tackle the blaze
Thanks to Jesús San-Miguel-Ayanz – leader of the European Forest Fire Information System – monitoring weather conditions, Greek pilot Stefanos Karpetis was ready to respond when fires broke out in central Portugal in August 2022.
How Croatia’s firefighters helped Slovenia to extinguish the flames
Igor Mindoljević – a member of the Croatian Air Force’s Firefighting Squadron – used data provided by the European Forest Fire Information System when he tackled fires in Slovenia in July 2022.
How EU experts stepped up to help Madagascar navigate a cyclone
Mirana R’Abel taught school children the risks tropical storms bring and helped them to stay safe during the storms. Thanks to this, EU experts who responded to the crisis in 2022 could focus on helping others in need.
Alain Biasci – a French Civil Security Officer – analysed the dangers and ensured medical and sanitation experts responding to the crisis could work safely. Erie Braakhekke – an expert from the Netherlands with a background in behavioural science – ensured her diverse team worked efficiently together.
How the EU worked with Denmark to combat the deluge in Pakistan
When devastating floods hit Pakistan in 2022, Peter Salamon – coordinator of the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service – used satellite data to help Danish Civil Defence Major Erik Breum-Christensen find the safest spots to place water purification modules.
What is the EU doing to tackle climate-related emergencies?
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism pools response capacities from all 27 EU countries plus 8 participating states to respond to climate-related emergencies in Europe and around the world.
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is at the core of the EU’s disaster response. It acts as a coordination hub between all participating countries, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian experts.
The ERCC operates 24/7 and ensures the rapid deployment of emergency support.
In addition, the EU prepares for extreme weather events through satellite mapping and modelling, running training exercises, building a reserve of emergency resources, investing in disaster preparedness, and much more.