Press Release: A Coordinated and Stronger EU Disaster Response at Home & Abroad

On 5 March, 2008, the European Commission adopted a Communication on reinforcing the Union's Disaster Response capacity. In order to rise to the growing challenges posed by natural and man-made disasters, the communication proposed that the European Union strengthens its abilities at home and abroad to provide civil protection and humanitarian assistance. The Commission has undertaken a screening exercise of all its existing resources and puts forward as a first step an action plan of specific measures to be implemented before the end of 2008. As a concrete example, the communication included a specific focus on how to improve the Union's response to forest fires.