2023-10-17 18:26:56
More effective Euro-Mediterranean collaboration in civil protection is necessary to protect human lives
The summer of 2023 will be remembered as one of extremes on both sides of the Mediterranean: storms, drought, heatwaves, wildfires and earthquakes. While Croatia, Italy and Algeria had to deal with flash floods, the historic rain deficit in Spain was cruelly felt, fires ravaged Tunisia and the Mediterranean Sea broke a new record of temperature. Morocco also experienced its biggest earthquake in more than 100 years, just months after violent tremors shook Turkey and Syria.
Yet, although natural disasters are a recurring phenomenon in the region, encouraging signs of resilience have been observed thanks to cross-border collaboration. When devastating floods hit two-thirds of Slovenia last August, the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the emergency response coordination center, sent excavators, helicopters and rescue personnel from seven countries, while NATO provided additional material and human assistance. When hundreds of fires – including the largest ever recorded in the EU – ravaged Greece and Cyprus, neighboring countries (Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt) quickly mobilized to help. And when Libya was hit by Storm Daniel, Algerian, Tunisian, Egyptian and Palestinian relief teams were deployed there.
A growing number of these extreme phenomena are attributed to climate change, a particularly pressing challenge in the Mediterranean, probably more than anywhere else in the world. As demonstrated by experts from the international research network MedECC, supported by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the region is warming at a rate 20% higher than the global average, meaning that around 250 million of its inhabitants are expected to be “water poor” in the next 20 years. Unfortunately, this finding confirms the need for immediate action, before the devastation caused by extreme weather conditions becomes even more frequent.
Natural disasters, often exacerbated by climate change, know no borders. This is why it is essential that the Euro-Mediterranean region takes steps to make coordination and collaboration efforts in civil protection a reality. Effectively combining capabilities is essential to anticipate disasters through early warning systems and respond to the challenges ahead in a collaborative and organized manner. This approach is the best way to optimize resources and protect citizens, so that no one is left behind when a disaster strikes.
Progress in this area has been made in recent months, particularly within the framework of the “Prevention, preparation and response to natural and man-made disasters in the countries of the southern neighborhood of the EU – PPRD Méditerranée” program supported by UfM and launched by the European Commission last June in Rome following the deadly floods which hit the Emilia-Romagna region. Although this ambitious program seeks to strengthen partnerships across the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Union for the Mediterranean believes it is absolutely imperative that we redouble our efforts.
We therefore propose the creation of a Mediterranean civil protection framework in order to better coordinate cross-border assistance in the event of a natural disaster. It would be an association of Euro-Mediterranean countries from the north and the south, a true territorial and institutional extension of the Union’s civil protection mechanism. The UfM is a strong supporter of the creation of a new voluntary framework implemented jointly by all existing actors and instruments, including the UfM and its Member States. This permanent space for exchange on prevention, preparation and response would therefore provide a platform for mutual assistance and rapid response in the event of an emergency.
The fourth UfM meeting of civil protection directors general from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East will be held on 18-19 October in Valencia to address the logistics of pooling and sharing resources, emphasizing the importance of working in this direction as soon as possible. To this end, participants will discuss an action plan whose final objective is to provide Euro-Mediterranean civil protection authorities with valuable assistance in terms of risk assessment, early warning systems, satellite imagery, capacity building, joint training and exercises, coordination and cooperation in emergency response, while promoting good practices and a volunteer observation body.
The natural disasters that devastated the region this summer are more than sufficient proof of the need to open a new era of Euro-Mediterranean governance. Better integration and better sharing of resources will undoubtedly enable us to strengthen our capacity to adapt to climate change and other emerging risks, while optimizing our response to emergency situations.
The conclusion is simple: if we have the capacity to act and protect more lives together, by joining forces, we must do so without further delay.
Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean
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