EU MAKES CASE FOR DISASTER RELIEF FORCE

12.28.00pm GMT Mon 10th Mar 2008

Plans for an EU-wide civil protection force to intervene in disasters, such as last summer's catastrophic floods, have been welcomed by a local Euro-MP.

The plans, adopted by the European Commission, also include a European training network to improve disaster relief and preparedness, a Mediterranean tsunami warning system and the full implementation of the Europe-wide additional emergency telephone number 112.

Liz Lynne MEP has previously spoken in favour of a European relief force to cope with disasters such as last year's Greek forest fires and UK floods, and campaigned for a UK application to the EU Solidarity Fund in the wake of the devastation across central and Northern England.

Speaking about the plans Liz said:

"Had this proposed force been in place last year we could have avoided flood barriers stuck in jams on the motorway while waters rose, and people stranded for hours because of a shortage of helicopters.

"Europe needs a specialised force with pooled resources available in case of disasters, natural or man-made. Training and exchange of best practice need to be coordinated and stepped up; particularly as climate change is making extreme weather events more common.

"Thankfully, national governments who were initially sceptical of coordinating EU relief efforts and resources, including the British, are realising the potential benefits of such a force. We have to remember that the people touched by disasters are not concerned where help comes from, as long as it gets the job done."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

It is intended that the disaster relief force could also help with disasters outside Europe, to provide a more coordinated and targeted international response. The idea for improving disaster preparedness in Europe originally came in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami of 2004.