The EU is strengthening its civil protection capacities in order to enhance risk prevention and provide timely support to member states and other participating countries whenever there is a natural or man-made disaster.
The Council today adopted a decision to amend the EU civil protection mechanism. The act foresees the setting-up of an additional pool of resources, rescEU, to provide assistance in situations where overall existing capacities are insufficient. rescEU will include in particular aerial means to combat forest fires, as well as resources to respond to medical emergencies and to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. The decision will also strengthen the existing voluntary pool of national capacities.