Disaster response mechanisms in EU and NATO

Abstract

The objective of this article is to identify, analyse and assess the European Union (EU) and NATO’s roles in international disaster response operations. The article adopts a broad approach and deals with mechanisms that could apply to so-called “natural” and “man-made” disasters. It considers instruments that may contribute to fulfil the rights of people stricken by disasters in Europe and beyond. The use of NATO’s disaster response capabilities has drawn limited attention in scientific literature so far. The main hypothesis stipulates that NATO provides added value in international disaster response in relation to the United Nations (UN) and EU actions. NATO with its transatlantic dimension and its military capabilities can assist when a stricken nation, its neighbours and/or other international organization(s) capacity or measures cannot cope with the potential negative consequences of a natural or man-made disaster. However, EU and/or NATO disaster response actions do not substitute a stricken country actions but complements their efforts in this area.

Countering Hybrid Threats: Resilience in the Eu and Nato’s Strategies

“…it is active all year round, operational on a 24/7 basis, and involves nato's allies and all partner countries . The Centre functions as a clearinghouse system for coordinating both requests from and offers of assistance for a stricken country (Jacuch, 2019b) .…”

“…1313/2013/Eu, 2013; C(2014)7489/f1, 2014) . The Mechanism can be activated for any serious natural or man-made disaster (Jacuch, 2019b) . in 2016 the Eu adopted a joint framework to counter hybrid threats and foster resilience (Join(2016) 18 final), which outlined such actions as raising awareness of and building resilience in cybersecurity, critical infrastructures, protection of the financial system and of public health, as well as supporting efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalization .…”