What is the EU civilian Protection Mechanism?
In 2001, the European Commission set up an EU civilian Protection Mechanism, a strategy for coordinating humanitarian and rescue aid aimed at strengthening civilian protection cooperation between EU associate States and participating countries. It is designed to aid prevent and respond to natural disasters and man-made disasters. The mechanics promotes solidarity between countries, strengthening the collective consequence to threats by creating capacity reserves that support national action erstwhile these prove insufficient [1].
Floods in Europe
Today, Poland, like another countries in Central Europe, specified as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Austria are fighting the effects of floods. The first EU civilian Protection mechanics was decided by the Czech Republic, making an authoritative request to the European Commission on 17 September [2].
Two days later (19 September) Poland has besides applied to launch the EU civilian Protection Mechanism. Sweden was 1 of the first to react, which, at the request of Poland, donated hundreds of bottles of chloramine, a means of bactericidal and decontamination [3].
At the time erstwhile Poland requested EU support, the ERCC could launch and start coordinating assistance utilizing the European civilian Protection Pool and the RescEU reserves. Earlier, Poland utilized the mechanics in 2010, during the largest wave of uplifting on the Vistula River in 160 years.
EC president Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Europe stands alongside Poland and another countries affected by the flood and can number on financial support. 2 sources of backing are available – the Solidarity Fund and the Cohesion Fund. However, due to the scale of the damage, the Solidarity Fund may not be adequate and it has been announced that the Cohesion Fund will mobilise EUR 10 billion to aid countries affected by the flood. Poland can number on about half of this amount, or PLN 21 billion. Von der Leyen reported that there would be pre-financing first, which means that the country will first receive backing and then it can be utilized for investments. The EC president besides explained that there is no co-financing for the Cohesion Fund. This is 100% funding, which is an exceptional measurement due to the fact that time is exceptional [4].
How does it work?
In order to launch the EU civilian Protection Mechanism, the State must make a circumstantial request for support to the ERCC. Each country, both EU and non-EU, affected by a major disaster, will receive support from the Centre at the request of national authorities or UN agencies [5].
Thanks to its 24/7 work, the ERCC can respond in real-time to the notification and support of a disaster country. utilizing the aid reserves provided by EU associate States and participating countries, it is able to immediately support the State by providing the essential assistance. The ERCC shall monitor, coordinate and support disaster consequence in the EU. It helps to supply the country affected with essential materials, expertise and specialized equipment. It cooperates with national authorities as well as EU civilian protection bodies [6].
The EC plays a key function in coordinating disaster response, bearing at least 75% of transport costs and/or operating costs.
The mechanics has European aid resources which associate States have declared to be immediately available in the event of crises. These resources form the alleged European civilian Protection Pool (ECPP), which brings together the resources of 27 associate States and participating countries, ready for fast deployment to the site of the disaster. Where these resources are utilized in emergency operations, The Commission offers its financial support [7].
To improve the mechanism, in 2019 the Union created an instrument called rescEU, a reserve of European resources full funded by the EU. These include a fleet of firefighting aircraft and helicopters, medical evacuation aircraft, medical supplies, field hospitals, means of shelter, transport, logistics and electricity supply [8].
Cases of usage of the mechanism
Since 2001, the mechanics has been utilized more than 700 times. It was utilized 106 times in 2022 and 66 in 2023. Last year it was launched, among others, in consequence to the war in Ukraine, forest fires in Europe and the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. In the event of a war in Ukraine, 27 associate States and 6 participating countries (Iceland, Macedonia, Moldova, North, Norway, Serbia and Turkey) offered support through the Mechanism. The aid included the provision of millions of items of materials specified as first aid kits, shelters, firefighting equipment, water pumps, power generators and fuel [9].
Bibliography:
[1] Regulation 2021/836 amending Decision No 1313/2013/EU on the Union civilian Protection mechanics (EU.L.2021.185.1), 1.01.2021.
[2] Anna Wolska, The Czech Republic was the first to launch the European civilian Protection mechanics due to flooding https://www.euractiv.pl/section/institutions-ue/news/what-as-first-launched-from-cause-European-mechanism-protection-people/ [accessed 18.09.2024].
[3] the European Commission, EU mobilises assistence for Czechia and Poland level relief, https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-story/news/eu-mobilises-assistance-chechia-and-poland-flower-relief-2024-09-20_en?prefLang=en [accessed 16.10.2024].
[4]Polish Press Agency, EC directs EUR 10 bln in aid to flood-ravaged countries, https://www.pap.pl/en/news/ec-directs-eur-10-bln-aid-flood-ravaged-country [accessed 16.10.2024].
[5] The European Commission, Emergency consequence Coordination Centre (ERCC), https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en [accessed 18.09.2024].
[6] Ibid.
[7] The European Commission, European civilian Protection Pool, https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/european-civil-protection-pool_en [accessed 18.09.2024].
[8] The European Commission, RescEU, https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/reseceu_en [accessed 18.09.2024].
[9] The European Commission, EU mechanics ..., op. cit.
