EU crisis response to be overhauled as natural disasters increase

THE number of natural disasters across the world has increased five times over the past few decades and new ways of helping victims must be found, especially when countries are cutting back on aid.

Although the European Union is one of the world’s biggest donors of humanitarian aid, it has been criticised for its response to some emergencies, such as the Haiti earthquake in January, which killed as many as 300,000 people and left 1.3 million homeless.

“At present there is an inevitable degree of improvisation and decisions are sometimes delayed,” commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said in a speech.

The EU plans to reorganise it’s aid system, including ensuring greater recognition for the fact that the bloc is the single biggest contributor to humanitarian aid worldwide.

The EU and the individual member states accounts for more than 40%, or €2 billion, of the global total, and now wants to create a permanent stand-by system for a faster and more efficient response in future.

At present when a disaster strikes either in the EU or outside, member states are asked what they can contribute. Instead a list of what they can offer would be agreed in advance, and the gaps identified.

Those involved would have regular training exercises together while member states would be able to pool and finance transport assets, logistics and coordination of operations.

Development Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva also wants to set up a European Emergency Response Centre to raise the alert immediately after a crisis strikes and coordinate the EU’s civilian disaster response.

Member states would decide on a case by case basis whether to deploy their resources in the event of a crisis while the EU would help coordinate relief when United Nations requests specific help.

Despite its massive contribution to disasters all over the world from Haiti to Pakistan, the television pictures rarely reflect this with the US’s Hilary Clinton more likely to be in the front line.

“We need to communicate more forcefully what we do, not just for the sake of greater visibility but to let our citizens know how their money is being spent,” said Commissioner Georgieva.

She believes the EU must also work with partner organisations to ensure the EU gets due credit.