Brussels, 05/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although the protection of the population in the event of natural or man-made disaster in the European Union is first and foremost the responsibility of the member states, the Council of the EU is contemplating a systematic and consistent approach across Europe for the mass evacuation of the population, as a civil protection measure during and after a disaster.
In unanimous conclusions adopted without debate on Thursday 5 December, on the sidelines of the meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, the Council of the EU therefore calls on the 28 member states and on the European Commission to develop “where necessary and appropriate, a more systematic and consistent approach to mass evacuation in case of disasters in the European Union in all phases of the disaster management cycle”.
To this end, member states are invited to: - identify high-risk or disaster-prone areas, where mass evacuation may be required, or the reception of evacuees may occur, and share non-sensitive information (information whose disclosure would not be contrary to the essential interests of member states' security) with relevant member states; - integrate relevant aspects of mass evacuation and the reception and return of evacuees in all phases of the disaster management cycle, particularly in the preparedness phase, ensuring that the different needs of specific groups (e.g. children, people with disabilities, elderly people, non-native speakers, non-residents and/or tourists) are covered; and “this integrated approach should encompass all levels - local, regional and national, and, where appropriate, include the necessary international arrangements”, the Council states; - consider the need to incorporate relevant aspects of the organisation of mass evacuation, and the reception and return of evacuees, into legislation at national or the appropriate sub-national level; - and continue developing and improving procedures for evacuation, and the reception and return of evacuees, with the involvement of society, where necessary and possible.
The European Commission for its part is invited to: - draw attention to all the natural or man-made disasters that the EU may be exposed to. It should also envisage, if not develop and promote, guidelines for helping member states to organise mass evacuation, and the reception and return of evacuees. The Council also invites the Commission to study the need to set provisions in place to facilitate the coordination of mass evacuation operations, and the reception and the return of evacuees in the event of disasters affecting several member states.
When it comes to guidelines, which are by nature non-binding, and also to the possible provisions for coordination, the Commission is invited to report to the Council by end 2017 on progress accomplished, and the member states are urged to help the Commission in its task, providing it with the information required.
These Council conclusions were adopted on the basis of lessons learned from recent mass evacuations, such as those during the earthquake that devastated L'Aquila (Italy) in 2009, the three-fold disaster in Japan in 2011, and during flooding in Central Europe in 2002, 2010 and 2013. (AN/transl.jl)