The EU's Civil Protection Mechanism is proving its effectiveness until 18 October, with 'Modex Romania 2018' - the largest simulation exercise of the European emergency medical response ever carried out so far, the European Commission announced on Monday 15 October.
This exercise, the last of its kind for the period 2017-2018 - will simulate a 7.5 Richter scale earthquake in Bucharest, with large numbers of people injured and extensive infrastructure damage. It will mobilise more than 1,000 people and will involve medical teams from eight countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Norway and Israel) and civil protection experts from other states participating in the European Mechanism.
For the purpose of the cause, medical, urban search and rescue teams must be set up, as well as evacuation plans to transport the injured to safe places in Romania and other Member States.
"This exercise is a unique opportunity to assess the functioning of our Civil Protection Mechanism and the common European response to disasters", said Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.
Thirty-four countries participate in the European Civil Protection Mechanism: the 28 EU Member States, plus the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia and Turkey.
A legislative proposal to strengthen this mechanism is on the table (see EUROPE 12115). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)