This law outlines decisions made in the European Union (EU) with regards to the Union Mechanism to deal with natural and man-made disasters. The focus of these decisions is to ensure protection and promote solidarity between Member States through practical cooperation and coordination. While individual Member States maintain the primary responsibility for protecting people, the environment, property, and cultural heritage against disasters, the Union Mechanism will provide support and cover a wide range of disasters. This includes environmental disasters, radiological disasters, marine pollution, hydrogeological instability, acute health emergencies, and the consequences of acts of terrorism.
The publication outlines several important amendments to Decision No 1313/2013/EU. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 1 are updated to better define the protection provided by the Union Mechanism. In addition, Article 3 is amended to include measures that facilitate rapid response in the event of a disaster. This includes removing bureaucratic obstacles that may hinder efficient response and increasing readiness for disasters through the European Civil Protection Pool and the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS).
Another important update is the establishment of non-binding objectives known as “Union disaster resilience goals.” These objectives aim to improve the capacity of the Union and its Member States to withstand the effects of disasters that are capable of causing multi-country transboundary effects. The publication also emphasizes the need for a coherent, cross-sectoral approach to address or affect disaster prevention across different policy areas and the likely impacts of climate change.
Overall, this document highlights the need for proactive and collaborative efforts to protect people, the environment, property, and cultural heritage in the event of a disaster. It provides a framework for the Union Mechanism to support Member States in the prevention and management of disasters. Professionals and enthusiasts in the field of heritage should be aware of these regulations to ensure they are prepared for any unexpected event with potentially disastrous consequences.
