Union Civil Protection Mechanism

No country alone can be fully prepared for all kinds of disasters. The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) was established in 2001 to strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the European Union and the Member States in the field of civil protection.

Mechanism supports efforts of Member States and additional Participating States to protect primarily people, but also the environment and property, including cultural heritage, against the impact of all kinds of natural and man-made hazards, including the consequences of acts of terrorism, technological, radiological or environmental disasters, marine pollution and health emergencies, occurring inside and outside the Union.

In addition to providing rapid response to disasters, the UCPM promotes an effective and coherent approach to prevention of and preparedness for disasters. In this respect, the UCPM provides a framework for sharing information on risks and risk management capabilities at European level, taking into account the likely impacts of climate change