Moldova Has Acceded to the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism

Moldova has acceded to the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism, which is designed to extend support to nations during crises or catastrophes.

This development has been reported by EUNEIGHBOURSeast. 

Consequently, Moldova is now poised to provide assistance to countries in need, encompassing preventive measures aimed at mitigating the impact of potential disasters and emergencies, as well as rendering aid to affected populations.

Depending on the nature of the catastrophe, assistance may take various forms. For instance, it may involve search and rescue operations, extinguishing forest and urban fires, mobilizing medical personnel, deploying medical equipment, supplying medication, purifying water, or offering temporary emergency housing.

Previously, the Republic of Moldova utilized the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to address the substantial influx of Ukrainian refugees resulting from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was established back in 2001, initially focused on enhancing cooperation between EU member states and nine participant countries in the field of civil protection. Additionally, the Commission plays a pivotal role in coordinating responses to global disasters. Furthermore, the mechanism covers over 75% of transport and operational expenses incurred during deployments.

Currently, in addition to EU member states, the Mechanism includes the participation of ten states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, and recently, Ukraine joined the Civil Protection Mechanism when the European Union signed a memorandum of accession with Ukraine in April 2023.

It is worth noting that Ukraine has also only recently joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In April 2023, the European Union signed a memorandum of accession to the initiative with Ukraine.

Earlier, in October 2022, Ukraine received a Roadmap outlining all the specific steps that Ukraine should take on its way to full membership in the system.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered through this mechanism to war-affected civilians across Ukraine.