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In recent years, the EU has experienced the most severe
pandemic in a century, the bloodiest war on
European soil
since the Second World War, and the
hottest year in recorded history.
In recent years, the EU has experienced the most severe
pandemic in a century, the bloodiest war on
European soil
since the Second World War, and the
hottest year in recorded history.
While we can’t prevent disasters from happening, the EU Civil Protection assists European countries in joining forces to prepare and respond more effectively. In this way, the EU helps reduce the impact of disasters and assists people in getting back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.
While we can’t prevent disasters from happening, the EU Civil Protection assists European countries in joining forces to prepare and respond more effectively. In this way, the EU helps reduce the impact of disasters and assists people in getting back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.
rescEU is a fundamental tool in the EU Civil Protection’s disaster preparedness and response operations, providing an additional layer of protection. It is Europe’s own reserve of common resources, including firefighting planes, power generators and medical supplies, ready to support, wherever they are needed, 24/7.
rescEU is a fundamental tool in the EU Civil Protection’s disaster preparedness and response operations, providing an additional layer of protection. It is Europe’s own reserve of common resources, including firefighting planes, power generators and medical supplies, ready to support, wherever they are needed, 24/7.
2025
In response to storm Éowyn, which caused power
outages in Ireland, the EU deploys 13 power
generators from its rescEU reserve.
2024
As rescEU celebrates its 5th anniversary,
capacities are sent to 9 countries in 47
deployments. The wildfire season alone sees some
of the biggest firefighting deployments in
Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Albania, among
others.
Ahead of the Summer Olympic
Games in Paris, the EU provides resources
against chemical, biological, nuclear and
radiological risks from its rescEU
reserve.
The EU
funds new agreements to purchase a further 12
firefighting planes, in addition to the 3
helicopters already financed, thereby expanding
its rescEU crisis response reserve.
2023
Planes and teams from the rescEU reserve join
firefighting operations to help extinguish
wildfires in Greece’s Alexandroupolis region,
the largest fire since 2001 in Europe.
In
response to a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that
rocked the region, the EU sends shelters, beds,
and medical equipment from its rescEU reserve to
help people in Türkiye. Many are still in use as
the country continues its recovery and
rebuilding efforts.
2022
As Russia launches the full-scale invasion
against Ukraine, the EU starts dispatching power
generators, medical items and other equipment
from its rescEU reserve to help the population
in conflict-affected areas.
2021
The EU continues deploying masks and personal
protective equipment to support the fight
against COVID-19.
2020
First-ever rescEU medical stockpile created in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
The EU establishes the rescEU reserve to
guarantee a more effective response to
disasters, including 9 firefighting planes and 6
helicopters.
Wildfires
Every year, the EU assembles a dedicated rescEU fleet
of firefighting aircraft ahead of the summer wildfire
season.
In 2024, 24 airplanes and 4 helicopters
were stationed in 10 Member States. Some of these
capacities were soon put to use in battling wildfires in
Bulgaria and Greece.
Every year, the EU assembles a dedicated rescEU fleet
of firefighting aircraft ahead of the summer wildfire
season.
In 2024, 24 airplanes and 4 helicopters
were stationed in 10 Member States. Some of these
capacities were soon put to use in battling wildfires in
Bulgaria and Greece.
Bulgaria faced the onslaught of several large-scale wildfires in July and August 2024. The total burnt area was the highest in more than a decade.
Within days, the EU deployed a firefighting helicopter from the rescEU reserve hosted in Czechia, along with 9 other firefighting aircraft that were sent as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism response.
Greece was affected by more than 4,500 fires in 2024. In August, wildfires in the Attica region killed one and displaced thousands of residents. The EU deployed a firefighting helicopter from the rescEU reserve hosted in France as well as 2 canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted in Italy. In addition, 2 further aircraft and 350 firefighters were coordinated by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
In September, a new fire broke out in the Northern Peloponnese, claiming the lives of two people. The fire spread quickly due to strong winds. Thanks to the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 350 firefighters along with 9 aircraft were dispatched to the region. Among them, the EU sent two Canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted by France, as well as 2 canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted in Italy.
Greece was affected by more than 4,500 fires in 2024. In August, wildfires in the Attica region killed one and displaced thousands of residents. The EU deployed a firefighting helicopter from the rescEU reserve hosted in France as well as 2 canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted in Italy. In addition, 2 further aircraft and 350 firefighters were coordinated by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
In September, a new fire broke out in the Northern Peloponnese, claiming the lives of two people. The fire spread quickly due to strong winds. Thanks to the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 350 firefighters along with 9 aircraft were dispatched to the region. Among them, the EU sent two Canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted by France, as well as 2 canadairs from the rescEU reserve hosted in Italy.
In response to the increase in wildfires, more firefighting resources were added in preparation for the 2023 and 2024 wildfire season. In preparation for the 2025 season, the EU has again prepositioned its fleet across the continent, ready to be deployed.
War in Ukraine
Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine started in February 2022, approximately 12.7 million people are in need.
In response, the European Union is running
its
largest-ever operation under the EU Civil Protection
Mechanism
and has deployed assistance under rescEU
worth
€172 million.
This includes the creation of a new rescEU energy hub in Poland that acts as a logistical centre for delivering emergency energy assistance to Ukraine. It helps channel funding from international partners and the private sector and is also being used to deliver rescEU’s own power generators to Ukraine.
These generators help the country power hospitals, schools and other vital buildings.
As of now, more than 3,300 generators from the rescEU reserves in Poland and Germany have been delivered to Ukraine to help the country maintain its electricity supply.
The EU has also provided 2,750 emergency shelters and 9,000 beds from rescEU reserves hosted by Sweden, and much-needed medical equipment from rescEU reserves hosted by the Netherlands and Hungary. The rescEU donations hubs in Belgium and Poland coordinated major private donations such as vaccines, medicines, generators, power transformers, and vehicles.
Earthquakes
in Türkiye
In February 2023, a series of earthquakes devastated
Türkiye.
Over
50,000 people in Türkiye died and millions were
displaced.
On 6 February, Türkiye asked for help from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In response, the EU sent 2,000 tents and 500 relief housing units with a total of 10,500 beds from the rescEU stockpiles. Some shelters are still in use while local authorities focus on reconstruction. The EU also delivered medical equipment from the rescEU reserve in the Netherlands.
To prepare for future disasters that displace people, the EU has allocated €118.4 million to Spain, Croatia, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden and Türkiye to procure and host new rescEU emergency shelter reserves that will be able to accommodate thousands of people.
On 6 February, Türkiye asked for help from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In response, the EU sent 2,000 tents and 500 relief housing units with a total of 10,500 beds from the rescEU stockpiles. Some shelters are still in use while local authorities focus on reconstruction. The EU also delivered medical equipment from the rescEU reserve in the Netherlands.
To prepare for future disasters that displace people, the EU has allocated €118.4 million to Spain, Croatia, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden and Türkiye to procure and host new rescEU emergency shelter reserves that will be able to accommodate thousands of people.
The future
The EU’s capacity to respond to disasters is constantly
being updated.
In March 2025, the EU adopted its
new Preparedness Strategy.
The EU Preparedness Union Strategy aims to enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats. The EU is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges: geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation, climate change and increasing risks of natural hazards.
The Strategy focusses on an integrated all-hazards approach, bringing together all relevant actors, across all levels of government and society. It lists 30 key actions including boosting rescEU, the EU’s own reserve capacities.
The EU – and the world – will continue to face disasters like pandemics, earthquakes, floods and wildfires made worse by climate change. By strengthening rescEU and preparedness hand in hand, we can be ready to face the future and be better prepared to manage the consequences of any disasters.
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