MEPs Push Stronger Crisis Readiness

European Parliament committees have backed plans to strengthen the European Union’s civil protection system for 2028–2034, calling for greater investment in crisis prevention, early warning and recovery. The proposed changes would expand support for disasters including wildfires, floods, earthquakes and major health emergencies.

The Environment, Climate and Food Safety Committee and the Public Health Committee approved a position that would increase funding for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to €12.42 billion in current prices, compared with €10 billion in the European Commission’s proposal. MEPs want 40% of the funds allocated to civil protection, 40% to health emergencies and 20% reserved for flexibility.

The committees are seeking vulnerability mapping, stronger climate-risk assessments and an integrated EU space service to support public warning systems. They also proposed a dedicated framework for civil-military cooperation, a larger role for local and regional authorities and a recovery-readiness system to clarify responsibilities after a crisis.

The plans would expand the EU’s rescEU emergency capacity, including through an aerial forest-fire-fighting fleet available from 2028. Health measures would include medical stockpiles, early-warning systems, cross-border medical teams, increased intensive-care capacity and patient transfers between member states. MEPs also called for legal protections and insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.

The position was approved by 61 votes to nine, with nine abstentions, and will next be put to a vote by the full Parliament. The legislation forms part of negotiations on the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget.