It is called rescEU and was created to ensure that «painful events that occurred in Portugal», such as fires, «never happen again». This is one of the new measures of the European Union, made known by Christos Stylianides, in an interview with Sul Informação. The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management was in Portimão, at the beginning of August, and says he is "very impressed with the excellent work" done in this Algarve municipality.
In this interview, Christos Stylianides also addresses one of the most pertinent issues of our time: climate change. This is one of the “most urgent challenges” and which the European Union hopes to respond to with this new project rescEU, to combat disasters.
The European commissioner also speaks of the success that was the traveling exhibition “EU Saves Lives”, whose last stop was in Portimão.
Sul Informação – What are the objectives of the new ressEU project? Why did the EU consider it necessary to create this new project?
Christos Stylianides – The rescEU initiative is making our European disaster response system stronger, more efficient and more effective. rescEU is an appropriate measure in the current context of climate change and constitutes a safety net to activate when national capacities are overloaded.
rescEU is the result of our collective determination to ensure that the painful events that took place in Portugal in 2017 are never repeated. Not in Portugal, not anywhere else in Europe. This is the reason for the ressEU initiative.
Climate change has caused a dramatic increase in natural disasters. Forest fires and floods, for example, have devastated a large part of Europe. Portugal knows what I'm talking about. Today, natural disasters are more frequent, more intense and less predictable.
In particular, forest fires often occur at the same time in different areas, which makes preparation and response difficult.
Europeans understand this harsh reality. Portuguese and European citizens want — and deserve — real solutions to real problems. They want concrete results.
Therefore, the European Union responded to these expectations by taking concrete measures, with the creation of rescEU. These achievements were achieved thanks to the dedication of Member States such as Portugal. For this reason, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prime Minister António Costa and Minister of Internal Affairs Eduardo Cabrita for Portugal's strong commitment and support in making rescEU a reality.
rescEU is based on three fundamental European values: being in solidarity, protecting European citizens and saving lives. rescEU sends a strong and clear message to all Europeans: solidarity is not an empty word. It's real and it impacts real lives.
SI – How was the new reservation implemented in this initial phase? Is the European Union now better prepared to help Member States fight forest fires and other natural disasters?
CS – I am very proud that rescEU is already a reality that fulfills our commitment to be more prepared and equipped to face the intensity and complexity of natural disasters today.
RescEU's initial transition fleet is now operational. This is an important first step, to be followed by other achievements as we build rescEU.
We are also strengthening prevention and preparedness, which are cornerstones of an effective response to natural disasters.
In addition, our readiness efforts are not limited to the initial resEU transition fleet. We are also strengthening our surveillance and coordination capabilities. We do this in five important ways: first, our Emergency Response Coordination Center (ECRC), which operates around the clock, 24/XNUMX, has been reinforced with experts from our Member States: the forest fire support team.
Second, the CCRE is intensifying its coordinating role, strengthening the risk assessment with participating States.
Thirdly, we continue to provide, through our modern Copernicus satellite system, satellite maps that help prevent, monitor and respond to forest fires as well as other natural disasters.
A few days ago, we provided these maps to Portugal, contributing to the fight against the fires that have occurred recently.
Fourth, we support regular field exercises. Finally, through our newly created Knowledge Centre, we promote cooperation and the sharing of best practices between Member States.
SI – What role can the European Union play in helping to combat climate change? Are there already means or projects to combat them?
CS – When we talk about solidarity, we must also talk about climate change. It is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Climate change is real. The science is clear. It cannot be denied. It's not fake news.
Since 1970, natural catastrophic phenomena have increased 400-fold. And this trend is expected to continue.
Our response to climate change today will define how we will live tomorrow and how future generations will live.
Europeans understand this harsh reality. Climate change was a key issue in recent European Elections. This was especially true for younger voters, who understand the urgency and demand immediate action.
So the European Union is responding. We are leading efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and set the world on a new path towards a sustainable future. To this end, we are implementing the EU Adaptation Strategy.
No country can face the dramatic effects of climate change alone. We're all in the same boat. It is for this reason that the European Civil Protection System was improved with the creation of the rescEU initiative.
ressEU is an investment in our response to natural disasters at EU level. It is also an investment in prevention and preparation. rescEU will create a common culture of prevention across Europe by sharing best practices and promoting greater cooperation between Member States.
We also invest in research to better understand the challenges of climate change. The Copernicus Earth Observation program is an example of this. You can improve forecasting and risk analysis through climate services and data sharing. It is a key tool that Member States can use to improve disaster risk assessment.
SI – How would you describe the results of the “EU Saves Lives” initiative? What was the innovation brought by this initiative? What goals were achieved?
CS – After two years and after having passed through 13 European cities, the “EU Saves Lives” campaign made its final stop in the beautiful city of Portimão. I would like to thank Mayor Isilda Gomes for her warm hospitality.
I also had the opportunity to visit the Municipal Center for Civil Protection and Relief Operations and observe the work carried out in the field. I must say that I am very impressed with the excellent work and dedication of the local authorities and civil protection personnel to the safety and protection of citizens and visitors to Portimão.
The closing of the “EU Saves Lives” campaign in Portugal was not accidental. It was symbolic. It represents the recognition of Portugal's contribution and support, over many years, which has been essential to our collective European disaster response system. It is, above all, a tribute to all victims of the catastrophic fires of recent years and also to all members of the first intervention teams who risk their lives to save those of others.
Our main objective with this virtual reality exhibition was to give European citizens the unique opportunity to see what Europe really does. Being able to see the real work behind the scenes, which has a real impact on people's lives. And the exhibition shows how the EU protects and saves lives.
Using technology allows citizens to feel as if they are on the ground. People can experience the real EU coordinated response to help vulnerable people. of a visit to Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh, which hosts more than 700 Roinja refugees, they can move into the cockpit of a firefighting plane in Spain or follow an EU-funded educational project in the refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya, one of the biggest in the world. The “EU Saves Lives” campaign was truly a fascinating and exciting experience.
I am very pleased with the results of this exhibition, which was very well received by citizens across Europe. This traveling exhibition was visited by over half a million people. It's an impressive number.
For that, I thank Portimão and all the other European cities that organized the exhibition. And I am especially grateful to all the visitors who can now spread the word about the leading role played by the EU in alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people around the world and in protecting European citizens.
Photos: Helder Santos | Sul Informação
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