EU and China join hands in preparing for disasters
From 11 to 13 May, Chinese and European civil protection authorities and experts are joining forces to participate in "EU-SCIP 2016" – the first ever joint full-scale exercise aimed at testing and reinforcing the Chinese civil protection system across all levels.
The exercise is one of the highlights of the EU-China Disaster Risk Management Project – a five-year project supporting China's work in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.
EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides applauds the tangible results of the EU-China cooperation in this context: "The close collaboration between the European and Chinese civil protection experts in this novel joint exercise visibly illustrates the achievements of the EU-China Disaster Risk Management Project. It shows that, learning from each other, we can significantly enhance disaster preparedness to limit the impact of potential future disasters."
During the three-day exercise, European and Chinese civil protection teams respond to a simulated scenario based on a series of chemical incidents resulting from a powerful typhoon striking China and affecting directly Shanghai Chemical Industry Park. The disaster provokes the collapse of some buildings and fire in a warehouse storing dangerous chemicals. As a consequence, dense smoke and toxic gases and leak of a toxic liquid threaten the health of residents in nearby districts. In addition, a ship overturned by the typhoon leaks toxic liquids and fuel, polluting the water. In light of these incidents, Chinese authorities request EU assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Professional rescue teams, volunteer civil protection units, municipal, provincial and national governments and the population of two districts of Shanghai are participating in the disaster response. The EU civil protection team is working in close collaboration with the Chinese civil protection experts. Three European enterprises with large production sites in the Industry Park are also participating.
China is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. By participating in joint exercises of this format, the European and Chinese civil protection teams contribute to safeguarding the population, infrastructure and facilities.
Background
The EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation adopted at the 16th EU-China Summit in November 2013 provides that both sides will promote policy exchange and facilitate cooperation and exchange of expertise in disaster prevention, preparedness and response to natural and technological disasters.
Since 2012, the EU-China Disaster Risk Management Project contributes to the strengthening of the Chinese emergency management system. Activities include policy dialogue, support to the institutional consolidation of the Chinese disaster coordination mechanisms, as well as capacity development through joint exercises, training activities, thematic workshops and conferences.
The EU-China cooperation in disaster risk management aims at facilitating and enhancing disaster response through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.