How the EU is helping to put out fires – News

In three simple offices on Rue Joseph II in Brussels, lies the heart of the European mechanism for combating natural disasters and the humanitarian crisis. The Emergency Coordination Center (KCAAA or ERCC) is located here. Five workers are on alert 24 hours a day by scanning satellite images that trigger fires or areas in Europe that pose an increased risk. The week in which we are is not like everyone else.

In Greece, fires in Attica, at least 85 people lost their lives and more than 150 are injured, including many children. In Sweden for weeks, at least four fires have continued to burn areas of destructive fury. The fight to extinguish the homes is under way and, in this effort, Europe is united. Sweden has received badistance from Germany, Italy, France, Lithuania, Denmark, Portugal, Poland and Austria. Seven firefighting devices, seven helicopters and more than 340 firefighters help Swedish firefighters. Only Germany has sent to Sweden more than 50 firefighters, nine firefighters and five helicopters

The greatest firefighter in the history of the EU
According to European figures, it is the largest joint European firefighting operation in the history of the EU, according to the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and the EU. crisis management, Christos Stylianidis. Indeed, in the case of Sweden, the recent fires show that "climate change is real and that no country is immune to natural disasters". And Greece, for its part, is receiving help from other member states these days: Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus. This badistance consists of planes, firemen, drivers and doctors.

Greece and Sweden have activated the European Emergency Response Mechanism, coordinated by ACSEA since 2013. This European mechanism was set up in 2001 with the participation of 28 Member States and six other countries. Its operational work involves missions to deal with natural disasters but also humanitarian crises, even in non-EU areas Since 2010, it has been activated to help cope with the Fukushima disaster, the epidemic has not yet occurred. Ebola in Africa and the Syrian Civil War.

How is European aid activated?

When a European government solicits EU badistance, ACSEA transfers the request to the member states. When the emergency response mechanism is activated, the country that has the problem informs the Center of the exact help it needs. The badistance of each Member State is at its discretion and depends on the strengths it can make available. "The mechanism works on a voluntary basis," said Carlos Rouis spokesman for Gorduela at DW, stressing that "countries are not obliged to help, but they do. better than they can. "

However, despite the positive contribution of this European mechanism, there are no problems. "In the case of Greece and Sweden, we have been able to answer the calls, but we have to admit that this has not always been the case, especially last year," he added. Of course, it should be noted that it is planned to improve the functioning of this European agency and increase its funding.For the moment, half the cost of transport forces the national budget is covered by the EU budget, while the additional costs of the national missions are covered exclusively by the Member States.In the future, the EU could cover some of these costs. to stimulate European emergency response personnel, to improve training and the exchange of information with the relevant national services.Of course, this does not mean that Member States will have fewer responsibilities. "They will remain the factors in crisis management, "said the spokesman.

Source: skai.gr