The EU Civil Protection Mechanism turns 25

For 25 years, European countries have joined forces to save lives when disasters strike through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It is one of the best examples of European solidarity in action. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Our EU Civil Protection Mechanism turns 25! 25 years of solidarity in action -- fighting floods and forest fires and delivering vital medical supplies. More than 900 times around the world, Europe has answered the call for help. We are strengthening our preparedness, so that Europe is ready to act whenever disaster strikes." Created in 2001, the Mechanism brings together the EU's 27 Member States and 10 participating states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. It allows any country in the world facing a crisis to request assistance from across Europe. Since its creation, it has been activated more than 900 times by 160 countries and 8 international organisations, coordinating assistance in response to forest fires, floods, earthquakes, health emergencies and other disasters across Europe and around the world. From firefighters battling wildfires and rescue teams responding to floods, to medical supplies delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens repatriated from crisis zones, generators sent to Ukraine and search dogs looking for survivors after earthquakes, the Mechanism has turned European solidarity into concrete action and assistance for people facing different crises. Europe is strengthening its capacity to respond to future disasters Today, this European solidarity matters more than ever. Climate change is fuelling more frequent and more intense natural disasters, and the EU is investing in stronger shared resources. In her 2026 State of the Union speech, President Ursula von der Leyen announced that some of Europe's most experienced firefighters and emergency responders will draw up proposals to strengthen disaster preparedness and prevention, improve civil-military cooperation and identify new response capabilities, including a future European firefighting fleet. The EU is already investing in a permanent firefighting fleet of 22 planes and 5 helicopters under rescEU, its strategic reserve of emergency response capacities. These resources complement the pool of national emergency services and can be mobilised when countries need extra support. The importance of this cooperation was shown again in 2026. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated 12 times during the summer alone to respond to wildfires, supporting the deployment of 24 firefighting planes, 17 helicopters and 835 firefighters. Beyond firefighting, the EU is strengthening preparedness through early warning systems, scientific cooperation and strategic reserves of medical supplies, power generators and other essential equipment. 25 years of European solidarity When an emergency arises, any country in the world can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Activating the Mechanism triggers the Emergency Response Coordination Centre to mobilise assistance or expertise from European countries. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Centre ensures emergency support is deployed quickly and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States, the 10 additional participating states, the affected country and civil protection and humanitarian aid experts. The Mechanism also helps countries prepare for disasters before they strike. Through joint training and large-scale exercises simulating real emergencies, rescue teams from across Europe learn to work side by side before they are called into action. The EU Civil Protection Knowledge Network also brings together emergency personnel, scientists and experts to exchange experience, improve practices and develop new solutions. In 2014, the EU set up the European Civil Protection Pool, the EU's first response teams, voluntarily pre-committed by Member States and quality-assured. The Mechanism was modernised further in 2019 with the creation of rescEU, the EU's strategic reserve. By pooling resources and coordinating stockpiling efforts, Europe is strengthening its collective capacities and its civil protection, both in preparedness and response.