Managing crises head-on
From tackling a global pandemic to dealing with climate change’s extreme weather events, from responding to Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine to managing the worst energy crisis in decades, we rolled up our sleeves and tackled extraordinary challenges head-on.
Defeating the pandemic
When the world was hit by the worst pandemic of our generation, the Commission took up the charge to protect lives, livelihoods and our economy.
By securing up to 4.6 billion vaccine doses, we helped roll out life-saving vaccines in record time. We made sure that all Europeans got access to vaccines at the same time, no matter which Member State they lived in. Over 80% of the EU adult population has received at least the first vaccination course.
We set up the EU Digital COVID Certificate, connecting 78 countries and territories. This has now become the model for a global system to facilitate mobility and protect citizens across the world from pandemics.
Boyana from Bulgaria, a medicine graduate turned journalist, resumed medical service during the COVID-19 pandemic as a nurse on the frontline. In 2023, she trained as a paramedic for Bulgaria’s new emergency medical helicopters, bought with EU funds and with the help of NextGenerationEU. Expecting her first child, she is looking forward to joining the helicopter fleet.
Powering Europe's recovery
Just as vaccines reached all Europeans at the same time, we worked to ensure that the economies of all Member States, especially those worst hit by the pandemic, could recover rapidly.
NextGenerationEU has been a boost of confidence for our economy. Worth more than €800 billion, it is propelling our economies with a combination of investment and reforms.
Hundreds of projects funded by NextGenerationEU are already delivering tangible results for Europeans, from offshore wind farms to electric trains, from top-notch digital public services to world-class hospitals.
Firm response to Russia's
invasion of Ukraine
As Russian tanks crossed the border, our Union stood up for Ukraine, with unity, strength and resolve.
We organised the delivery of unprecedented humanitarian, financial and military assistance from the EU and Member States, reaching almost €108 billion so far, including €39 billion in military support. Through the new Ukraine Facility, we will deliver another €50 billion over the next four years, to help provide basic services – keep schools open, pay salaries and pensions, while Ukraine’s people continue to fight back against the invader.
As Russia’s war threatened to trigger a global food crisis, we opened Solidarity Lanes, which have helped export 136 million tonnes of Ukrainian goods, including around 70 million tonnes of agricultural products - bringing Ukraine’s crops to countries that needed them most.
EU support to Ukraine
Over 4
million
Ukrainian refugees hosted in the EU
Almost
€108 billion
humanitarian, financial and military assistance
136 million
tonnes
Ukrainian goods exported through Solidarity lanes
Strengthening Europe's resilience, security and defence capabilities
As the strategic environment around us has fundamentally changed, Europe needs to face up to a new responsibility. This is why this Commission has developed a new European Defence Industrial Strategy.
It brings strategic focus and helps to tie together Member States’ and European firms’ efforts - from research to industrialisation and commercialisation of new systems, on to production ramp-up, coordinated procurement and security of supply. Because peace requires security.
Common solutions to the worst energy crisis in decades
While launching its assault on Ukraine, Russia used energy to blackmail us, triggering an energy crisis in Europe and the fear of blackouts.
With the REPowerEU plan, we secured our energy supplies and reduced our dependence on Russia.
We reduced our gas use by 18% - and we doubled down on the roll-out of renewables.
For the first time, we produced more electricity from wind in the EU than from gas last year. We have almost doubled the amount of solar energy produced in Europe. And installations of solar and wind energy have increased on an annual basis by around 35%.
Providing support when disaster hits
We have boosted Europe’s capacity to provide vital support to countries hit by disaster, from floods to forest fires, from earthquakes to medical emergencies.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has channelled support to all parts of the continent and beyond. Our teams were at work to rescue people and clear the rubble just hours after deadly earthquakes ravaged Albania, Croatia and Türkiye and were quick with support on the ground following devastating floods in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Slovenia.
Since 2019, we have provided over €3 billion through the EU Solidarity Fund to Member States and accession countries hit by natural disasters and public health emergencies.
A real European safety net for emergencies
Earthquakes
The earthquake that hit Croatia in 2020 destroyed the University Hospital Centre in Zagreb. With the help of EU funds, the hospital is now being renovated, providing better healthcare for almost half a million residents of the Zagreb area.
Floods
Following flash floods that swept through Slovenia in August 2023, we set up a task force, featuring Commission and Slovenian representatives, to study ways of better supporting affected areas with existing EU funding.
Forest fires
When forest fires devastated Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Tunisia in 2023, around 2 000 personnel, including firefighters, were sent to tackle the emergency. In response to violent wildfires across Europe, we enabled the deployment of firefighting planes, helicopters and firefighting personnel.
RescEU
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, as well as the pandemic, have shown that we need to do more to respond to disasters.
With rescEU we provide a common reserve of European resources, including a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, and stockpiles of medical items.
When disaster strikes, our Union is now better equipped than ever to support Europeans – and the rest of the world. We have coordinated 232 Humanitarian Air Bridge operations, responding to 12 crises worldwide, most recently the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Keeping our promise to Europe
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