Natural disaster prevention and response capabilities

10.7.2013

Question for written answer E-008253-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Paweł Robert Kowal (ECR)

Following the adoption of Parliament’s resolution of 3 July 2013 on the floods in Europe (P7_TA(2013)0316), which hit countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, thought now needs to be given to how it will be implemented. At least 18 people died in the flooding, and tens of thousands were obliged to leave their homes. In Poland alone, more than 100 000 farms suffered flood damage, as did the old city centre in Warsaw. Although some progress has been made in establishing a pan-European approach to this issue, more still needs to be done.

1. What natural disaster prevention and response capabilities does the EU have, and what has been done to upgrade them?

2. What lessons have been learned from this year’s rescue operations? What scope do the EU institutions have for taking action in emergency situations of this kind?

OJ C 65 E, 05/03/2014