(1a)

Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency, intensity and complexity of natural disasters worldwide, and developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing states, are particularly vulnerable due, on the one hand, to their underdeveloped capacity to adapt to, and mitigate, the consequences of climate change, and to respond to climate-related disasters, and, on the other hand, to their geographical exposure to floods, droughts and forest fires.

(2)

Whilst recognising the primary responsibility of Member States for preventing, preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters, the Union Mechanism promotes solidarity between Member States in accordance with Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union.

(2)

Whilst the primary responsibility for preventing, preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters remains with the Member States , the Union Mechanism , and in particular rescEU, promotes solidarity between Member States in accordance with Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union by complementing existing capacities of Member States, enabling more effective preparedness and response, where capacities at national level are not sufficient .

(2a)

Forest fires threaten lives, livelihoods and biodiversity, cause the release of high amounts of carbon emissions, and decrease the carbon absorption capacity of the planet, which further exacerbates climate change. Of particular concern are situations where primary forest or radioactively contaminated areas are destroyed by fire. The increase in climate-related disasters, including forest fires, requires a strengthening of the operations of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism outside the Union, including the activities focusing on prevention and disaster preparedness.

(3)

The unprecedented experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the Union effectiveness in managing a crisis is limited by the scope of its governance framework, but also by the degree of Union preparedness in case of disasters impacting a majority of Member States.

(3)

The unprecedented experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the Union effectiveness in managing a crisis is limited by the scope of its governance framework, but also by the degree of Union preparedness in case of disasters impacting a majority of Member States. Moreover, it is clear that the Union and Member States are insufficiently prepared for more extreme and complex disasters with far-reaching, longer-term global consequences, such as a large-scale pandemic. Therefore, it is essential that Member States' civil protection actions be better coordinated and that rescEU be reinforced.

(3a)

The experience of the COVID-19 crisis has shown that the Union and Member States are not adequately prepared to respond to large-scale emergencies and that the existing legal framework is not sufficiently fit for purpose. The COVID-19 crisis has also highlighted how the consequences of catastrophes for human health, the environment, society and the economy can take on unprecedented proportions. In view of the need to strengthen the Union’s ability and actions as regards health and civil protection, it is essential that rescEU be reinforced and made more flexible, faster and that it be better coordinated with national civil protection authorities. It is also essential that sufficient information be provided by Member States on their prevention and preparedness with respect to emergencies.

(3b)

In order to maximise transparency and accountability for Union citizens, the Commission should bring forward guidance on how to measure the proportion of spending carried out through the Union Civil Protection mechanism that should qualify as Official Development Aid (ODA).

(3c)

Given the experience of the COVID-19 outbreak and considering the need to enhance the Union's response capability in the fields of health and civil protection, rescEU should be significantly reinforced to improve its performance in each of the three pillars of the Union Mechanism: prevention, preparedness and response.

(5)

In order to be better prepared when confronted with such events in the future, urgent action is required for reinforcing the Union Mechanism.

(5)

In order to be better prepared when confronted with such events in the future, urgent action is required for reinforcing the Union Mechanism. The reinforcement of the Union Mechanism should complement Union policies and funds and should not be a substitute for the mainstreaming of the principle of disaster resilience into those policies and funds.

(6)

To improve planning in prevention and preparedness, the Union should continue advocating for investment in prevention of disasters across sectors, and for comprehensive risk management approaches that underpin prevention and preparedness, taking into account a multi-hazard approach, an ecosystem-based approach and the likely impacts of climate change, in close cooperation with the relevant scientific communities and key economic operators. To that effect, cross-sectoral and all-hazard approaches should be put at the forefront and be based on Union wide resilience goals feeding into a baseline definition of capacities and preparedness. The Commission is to work together with Member States when defining Union wide resilience goals.

(6)

To improve resilience and planning in prevention and preparedness, the Union should reinforce investment in prevention of disasters across borders and across sectors, including those that arise due to seismic activity, such as earthquakes, or due to floods or due to hydrogeological instability, such as landslides, and comprehensive risk management approaches that underpin prevention and preparedness, taking into account a multi-hazard approach, an ecosystem-based approach and the likely impacts of climate change, in close cooperation with the relevant scientific communities, key economic operators and regional and local authorities, which are key players in the disaster management cycle, as well as the third sector and voluntary organisations operating in the field and must not jeopardise the established Union coordination mechanisms . To that effect, cross-sectoral , cross-border and all-hazard approaches should be put at the forefront and be based on Union wide resilience goals feeding into a baseline definition of capacities and preparedness. The Commission is to work together with Member States and the European Parliament when defining Union wide resilience goals and to take into account any operational emergency response plans that already exist at national, regional or local level .

(6a)

In order to ensure that disaster prevention is efficient, stress tests and a process for certification of the response capacities should be considered key elements. Regular risk assessments at regional and local level are necessary for national authorities to be able to take measures to reinforce resilience where necessary, including by using the existing Union funds. Such risk assessments should focus on features that are specific to each region, such as seismic activity, frequent floods or forest fires. Those assessments should also include the level of cross-border cooperation, in order for the Union Mechanism to have detailed information on locally available capacities so that intervention can become more targeted.

(6b)

The development of Union disaster resilience goals to support prevention and preparedness actions should involve an accurate assessment of and take into account the long-term social consequences observed in the first post-emergency stage that are managed by civil protection agencies, with particular attention being given to the most vulnerable people.

(6c)

The role of regional and local authorities in disaster prevention and management is of great importance, and their response capacities need to be appropriately involved in any coordination and deployment activities carried out under this Decision, in accordance with Member States' institutional and legal frameworks, with a view to minimising overlaps and to fostering interoperability. Such authorities can play an important preventive role and they are also the first to react in the aftermath of a disaster, together with their volunteers' capacities. Therefore, there is a need for on-going cooperation at local, regional and cross-border level with a view to establishing common alert systems for rapid intervention prior to the mobilisation of rescEU as well as regular public information campaigns on initial response measures.

(8a)

The creation of a pool of resources brings together a series of rescue teams, experts and equipment that Member States always keep in standby mode for Union Civil Protection missions. It is essential that those teams meet demanding criteria of quality and reliability to ensure their interoperability.

(9)

The Union Mechanism should make use of Union space infrastructures such as the European Earth Observation Programme (Copernicus), Galileo, Space Situational Awareness and GOVSATCOM, which provide important Union level tools to respond to internal and external emergencies. Copernicus Emergency Management Systems are providing support to the ERCC in the various emergency phases from early warning and prevention to disaster and recovery. GOVSATCOM is to provide secure satellite communication capability specifically tailored to the needs of governmental users in emergency management. Galileo is the first global satellite navigation and positioning infrastructure specifically designed for civilian purposes in Europe and worldwide, and can be used in other areas such as emergency management, including early warning activities. Galileo's relevant services will include an emergency service, which broadcasts, through emitting signals, warnings regarding natural disasters or other emergencies in particular areas. The Member States should be able to use this service. Where they decide to use it, in order to validate the system, they should identify and notify to the Commission the national authorities competent to use that emergency service.

(9)

The Union Mechanism should make use of Union space infrastructures such as the European Earth Observation Programme (Copernicus), Galileo, Space Situational Awareness and GOVSATCOM, which provide important Union level tools to respond to internal and external emergencies. Copernicus Emergency Management Systems are providing support to the ERCC in the various emergency phases from early warning and prevention to disaster and recovery. GOVSATCOM is to provide secure satellite communication capability specifically tailored to the needs of governmental users in emergency management. Galileo is the first global satellite navigation and positioning infrastructure specifically designed for civilian purposes in Europe and worldwide, and can be used in other areas such as emergency management, including early warning activities. Galileo's relevant services will include an emergency service, which broadcasts, through emitting signals, warnings regarding natural disasters or other emergencies in particular areas.  Given its potential for saving lives and facilitating the coordination of emergency actions, Member States should be  encouraged to use this service. Where they decide to use it, in order to validate the system, they should identify and notify to the Commission the national authorities competent to use that emergency service.

(9a)

The Union Mechanism and rescEU should be developed in a way that enables the Union to effectively respond to a wide range of emergencies. Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency, intensity and complexity of natural disasters within the Union and worldwide, requiring a high degree of solidarity among countries. Every year, many Member States are ravaged by forest fires that destroy thousands of hectares and claim numerous lives. This situation was particularly apparent during the 2017 forest fire season in Portugal, which led to the Commission’s rescEU proposal of November 2017. The prevention and response capability of Member States, including those most affected by forest fires, is often insufficient. It is therefore essential that prevention of, preparedness for and response to disasters is strengthened and that the Union Mechanism comprise sufficient capacities, including during the rescEU transition period, to act when forest fires and other natural disasters occur.

(9b)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, building on the existing provisions of Decision No 1313/2013/EU, the Commission was able to include in rescEU medical stockpiling, consisting of medical countermeasures such as intensive care medical equipment, personal protective equipment, laboratory supplies, vaccines and therapeutics, for the purpose of preparedness and response to a serious cross-border threat to health. From this medical stockpiling, personal protective equipment was delivered to Member States and candidate countries. Nevertheless, because only Member States may acquire, rent or lease rescEU capacities, more than one month passed between the adoption of the implementing act for the establishment of the above-mentioned stockpiling and the first deployment of the medical equipment and supplies concerned.

(10)

In order to have the operational capacity to respond swiftly to a large-scale emergency or to a low probability event with a high impact such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union should have the possibility of acquiring, renting, leasing or contracting rescEU capacities to be able to assist Member States overwhelmed by large-scale emergencies, in line with the supporting competence in the area of civil protection and with a particular attention to vulnerable people . Those capacities are to be pre-positioned in logistical hubs inside the Union or, for strategic reasons, via trusted networks of hubs such as the UN Humanitarian Response Depots.

(10)

In order to have the operational capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to large-scale emergencies or to low probability events with a high impact such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union should have the possibility of autonomously acquiring, renting, leasing or contracting rescEU capacities to be able to assist Member States overwhelmed by large-scale as well as cross-border emergencies, in line with the supporting competence in the area of civil protection. Those capacities are to be pre-positioned in logistical hubs inside the Union. EMA and ECDC should where necessary be consulted in the definition, management and distribution of capacities dedicated to responding to medical emergencies.

(10a)

In carrying out the activities of the Union Mechanism, particular attention should be paid to the protection of vulnerable people. In addition, and in order to prevent gender-based violence, including domestic violence during times of crisis, the Commission should develop, together with Member States, guidance based on best practices to support victims of gender-based violence within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

(10b)

On the basis of the principles of solidarity and universal coverage of quality health services and the central role of the Union in accelerating progress on global health challenges, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism should, in a manner that achieves synergy and complementarity with other relevant Union programmes, in particular EU4Health, create a better prevention, preparedness and response capacity in respect of medical emergencies.

(11)

rescEU capacities acquired, rented, leased or otherwise contracted by Member States could be used for national purposes, but only when not used or needed for response operations under the Union Mechanism.

(11)

rescEU capacities acquired, rented, leased or otherwise contracted by Member States or the Commission could be used for national purposes by the Member States hosting those capacities , but only when not used or needed for response operations under the Union Mechanism and with priority given to the fight against cross-border emergencies .

(12)

Where needed, the Union has an interest in responding to emergencies in third countries. Whilst primarily established for use as a safety net within the Union, in duly justified cases and taking into account the humanitarian principles, rescEU capacities could be deployed outside the Union.

(12)

Where needed, the Union has an interest in responding to emergencies in third countries. Whilst primarily established for use as a safety net within the Union, in duly justified cases , in consultation with humanitarian actors prior to the interventions, and taking into account the humanitarian principles rescEU capacities could be deployed outside the Union.

(13)

In order to support Member States to deliver the assistance, the European Civil Protection Pool should be further reinforced by co-financing the operational costs of the committed capacities when deployed outside the Union.

(13)

In order to support Member States to deliver the assistance also outside the Union , the European Civil Protection Pool should be further reinforced by co-financing the operational costs of the committed capacities at the same level, irrespective of whether they are deployed inside or outside the Union.

(14a)

To strengthen cooperation in aerial forest firefighting and in response to other disasters, administrative processes should be streamlined where possible in order to ensure prompt intervention.

(16)

Given that the deployment of rescEU capacities for response operations under the Union Mechanism provides significant Union added value by ensuring an effective and fast response to people in emergencies, further visibility obligations should be made to provide Union prominence.

(16)

Given that the deployment of rescEU capacities for response operations under the Union Mechanism provides significant Union added value by ensuring an effective and fast response to people in emergencies, further visibility obligations should be made to provide information to Union citizens and media and also to provide Union prominence. National authorities should receive communication guidelines from the Commission for each particular intervention to ensure that the Union's role is appropriately publicised.

(17)

In order to increase flexibility as well as achieve optimal budget execution , indirect management should be included as a method of budget implementation .

(17)

In order to increase flexibility as well as to achieve optimal budget implementation , this Decision should provide for indirect management as a method of budget execution, to be used where justified by the nature and content of the action concerned .

(17a)

In accordance with Article 155 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council  (1a) (‘the Financial Regulation’), the entities listed in Article 62(1)(c) of that Regulation and in Article 25(2) of this Decision should annually fulfil their reporting obligations. The reporting requirements for those entities are laid down in the verification agreement referred to in Article 130(3) of the Financial Regulation.

(18)

In order to promote predictability and long-term effectiveness, when implementing Decision No 1313/2013/EU, the Commission should adopt annual or multi-annual work programmes indicating the planned allocations. This should help the Union to have more flexibility in budget execution and thereby enhance prevention and preparedness actions.

(18a)

Delegated acts should define strengthened competences of leading Union Agencies to manage the rescEU capacities, lead the procurement process and to provide recommendations on specific quantities and products to be placed in geographically dispersed logistical hubs.

(18b)

The establishment, management and distribution of strategic Union reserves and stockpiles of capacities dedicated to responding to medical emergencies under the EU4Health programme should complement the reserves of rescEU.

(22a)

The Union Mechanism should also allow for the possibility of additional, voluntary contributions by Member States.

(23)

While prevention and preparedness measures are essential to enhance the robustness of the Union in facing natural and man-made disasters, the occurrence, timing and magnitude of disasters is by its nature unpredictable. As shown in the recent COVID-19 crisis, financial resources requested to ensure an adequate response may significantly vary from year to year and should be made available immediately. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementation of the programmes. Consequently, it is appropriate to authorise carry-over of unused appropriations, limited to the following year and solely devoted to response action , in addition to Article 12(4) of the Financial Regulation.

(23)

While prevention and preparedness measures are essential to enhance the robustness of the Union in facing natural and man-made disasters, the occurrence, timing and magnitude of disasters is by its nature unpredictable. As shown in the recent COVID-19 crisis, financial resources requested to ensure an adequate response may significantly vary from year to year and should be made available immediately. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementation of the programmes. Consequently, it is appropriate to authorise carry-over of unused appropriations, limited to the following year and devoted to prevention, preparedness and response actions , in addition to Article 12(4) of the Financial Regulation.

(25)

Annex I to Decision No 1313/2013/EU is not flexible enough to allow the Union to properly adjust investments in prevention, preparedness and response and thus it is deleted. Investment levels to be allocated to the different phases of the disaster risk management cycle need to be determined in advance. This absence of flexibility prevents the Union from being able to react to the unpredictable nature of disasters.

(25a)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to have functioning rescEU capacities and for the Union Mechanism to effectively respond to the needs of Union citizens, additional financial appropriations have been made available to finance actions under the Union Mechanism. It is important to give the Union the necessary flexibility to be able to react effectively to the unpredictable nature of disasters, while at the same time maintaining a certain predictability in the fulfilment of the objectives set out in this Decision. It is important to achieve the necessary balance in the fulfilment of those objectives. In order to update the percentages set out in Annex I, according to the priorities of the reformed Union Mechanism, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission.

(-1)

(-1a)

(-1b)

(c)

to facilitate rapid and efficient response in the event of disasters or imminent disasters, including by taking measures to mitigate the immediate consequences of disasters;

‘(c)

to facilitate rapid and efficient response in the event of disasters or imminent disasters, including by removing any obstacles of a bureaucratic nature.’

(1a)

(1b)

(c)

establish and regularly update a cross-sectoral overview and map of natural and man-made disaster risks the Union may face, by taking a coherent approach across different policy areas that may address or affect disaster prevention and taking due account of the likely impacts of climate change;

‘(c)

establish and regularly update a cross-sectoral overview and map of natural and man-made disaster risks, including disasters which cause or are capable of causing transboundary effects, the Union may face, by taking a coherent approach across different policy areas that may address or affect disaster prevention and taking due account of the likely impacts of climate change;’

(1c)

(h)

promote the use of various Union funds which may support sustainable disaster prevention and encourage the Member States and regions to exploit those funding opportunities;

‘(h)

promote the use of Union funds which may support sustainable disaster prevention , including prevention of disasters caused by hydrogeological instability, and encourage the Member States and regions to exploit those funding opportunities;’

(-a)

(c)

further develop and refine disaster risk management planning at national or appropriate sub- national level;

(-aa)

In paragraph 1, point (d) is replaced by the following:

(d)

make available to the Commission a summary of the relevant elements of the assessments referred to in points (a) and (b), focusing on key risks. For key risks having cross-border impacts as well as, where appropriate, for low probability risks with a high impact, Member States shall describe priority prevention and preparedness measures. The summary shall be provided to the Commission by 31 December 2020 and every three years thereafter and whenever there are important changes;

(f)

improve disaster loss data collection at the national or appropriate sub-national level to ensure evidence-based scenario building as referred to in Article 10(1).;

(f)

improve disaster loss data collection at the national or appropriate sub-national level to ensure evidence-based scenario building as referred to in Article 10(1) , especially when it comes to identifying gaps in cross-border disaster-response capacities .

—

to develop transnational detection and warning systems of Union interest;

—

to develop transnational detection and early warning systems of Union interest in order to mitigate the immediate effects of disasters or pandemics on human lives ;

—

to provide technical training assistance to local communities for the purpose of enhancing their capacities as regards their first unassisted reaction to a crisis;

(5a)

(aa)

Paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

(8a)

(b)

collect and analyse validated information on the situation, in conjunction with the affected Member State, with the goal of generating common situational awareness, and disseminate it to the Member States;

(b)

collect and analyse validated information on the situation, in conjunction with the affected Member State, with the goal of generating common awareness of the situation and the response to the situation , and disseminate it directly to the Member States;

(9a)

(a)

upon request for prevention expertise in accordance with Article 5(2);

(a)

upon request for prevention expertise in accordance with Article 5(2) , particularly in the event of a pandemic ;

(b)

upon request for preparedness expertise in accordance with Article 13(3);

(b)

upon request for preparedness expertise in accordance with Article 13(3) , particularly in the event of a pandemic ;

(aa)

developing cartographical material for the swift deployment and mobilization of resources, especially bearing in mind the specificities of cross-border regions for the purpose of trans-boundary risks such as wildfires;

(ba)

in paragraph 3, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:

(bb)

the following paragraph is inserted:

(c)

paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

(ca)

Paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

(cb)

the following paragraph is inserted:

(d)

paragraphs 5 and 6 are deleted.

(da)

paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

(db)

paragraph 6 is replaced by the following

(dc)

In Article 19, the following paragraph is added:

(aa)

In Article 21(1), point (h) is replaced by the following:

(h)

supporting the preparedness activities described in Article 13;

(aa)

paragraph 3 is deleted;

(22a)

‘By … [24 months from the date of entry into force of this amending decision], the Commission shall evaluate the functioning of the Union Mechanism as well as the coordination and synergies achieved with the EU4Health Programme and other Union health legislation, with a view to presenting a legislative proposal that would include the creation of a specific European Health Response Mechanism.’

(23)

(23a)

1.

Percentages for allocation of the financial envelope for the implementation of the Union Mechanism referred to in Article 19(1) for the period 2014 to 2020

2.

3.