Regions committed to share their knowledge for policies to enable resilient communities
EPP-CoR members discussed with Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Head of UNDRR, natural disasters experienced in their regions calling for development of policies in partnership with local and regional authorities to ensure that villages, cities and regions become resilient to climate-induced emergencies.
Commissioner Lenarčič said that over the course of Summer, regions experienced more intense natural disasters, from floods to fires and tornadoes. He stressed "Climate change is changing our lives and our regions and towns face a new reality, more intense natural disasters and disaster risks so we need to reinforce our efforts from prevention to response." Lenarčič added that no changes can take place without local and regional authorities (LRAs) as they play a crucial role in the immediate response. He referred to the establishment of a dedicated knowledge network which will serve as a space for all experts to share their views and will serve as a platform for LRAs to get involved.
Fires in Attica, Greece
Referring to the harsh summer of unprecedented fires in his region, Georgios Patoulis, Governor of Attica called for the development of a modern and integrated civil protection and forest protection policy in full partnership with local and regional authorities. "Regional Management is the key to the Civil Protection system. Civil protection must be designed, equipped and implemented and based on local and regional specificities and not on approaches from above."
The head of the Greek Delegation stressed that responding to emergencies and building resilience in cities and regions is becoming increasingly an adaptation measure to climate change.
Disasters know no borders
Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region said that local and regional authorities play a vital role in fighting natural disasters on the ground. He stressed that since capacities are different between regions, the complementary action of the EU should therefore develop a differentiated approach according to the different needs at regional level. In this regard he called for regional and local entities to have direct channels of communication with the European Commission. "We have the experience on the ground and a wealth of good practices in building resilience at local level, which is a key driver of policy development." Cirio added that resilience concerns all levels of governance, and coordination between different levels and stakeholders is thus crucial.
Cirio said that most disasters know no borders. "The focus on enhancing preparedness and response to disasters and reducing disaster risks through cross-border cooperation is essential to increase the resilience of cities and regions.
Cirio who served as the CoR rapporteur on strengthening the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and rescEU expressed satisfaction that the budget will increase threefold in the 2021-2028 financial period. However, he warned that in the face of climate change, the increasing frequency and severity of natural hazards, and the transboundary nature of crises, disaster prevention and our collective emergency response capacity needs to be expanded and reinforced. He also called for more flexibility for the deployment of rescEU resources.
Directly replying to Cirio, Commissioner Lenarčič said: "The Solidarity Fund is small and the threshold to qualify for funding is very high. Myself and Commissioner for Regional Development are aware of this issue. When the matter will be discussed, we both will make the case for increase of funding and lower the threshold. I will support you in this call!"
Sonja Ledl-Rossmann, Pesident of the Parliament of the Tyrol pointed out that natural disasters do not stop at the national borders and therefore, cross-border cooperation at local and regional level is crucial. "Cross-border cooperation is essential for tackling and preventing natural disasters from happening. We need legislative changes so that those who are on the ground can intervene fast without having to deal with the legal challenges."
Gaetano Armao, Vice-President of the Region of Sicily referred to fires experienced in Sicily. "We need a broad approach to address, prevent and intervene in these cases. We need mechanisms for reforestation and to replenish water table." Referring to wind gusts experienced on the island of Pantelleria that led to deaths, Armao said that when dealing with islands a specific approach is needed to address natural disasters.
Hélder Sousa Silva, Mayor of Mafra said that LRAs are on the front line when natural disasters take place. "Disaster response is closely associated with a bottom-up approach and with a local dimension." He appealed for relevant measures to be included in the RRF.
The CoR plenary also held a minute of silence in solidarity with those who lost their homes, loved ones and their livelihoods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLcITjkT6Mw