The EU’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) cares for countries affected by emergencies and disasters get immediate help. After its successful actions in the past, the commission wants now to transform the MIC into a genuine operational centre with its own resources, which could be deployed immediately.

Open 24/7, the EU’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) coordinates EU resources for relief operations. Dealing with all disasters, manmade or natural, the MIC acts as a communication hub between countries. Upon receiving a request for help, duty officers alert potential donor nations and match offers of aid to the needs on the ground. Besides rounding up equipment and other supplies, the MIC can also dispatch field experts to disaster sites.

One of the last examples, in July 2010 when Portugal requested equipment to fight forest fires. Three countries immediately responded, and Italy’s offer of two water bomber planes was accepted. In recent years, forest fires, floods and droughts have become more frequent and severe in Europe, where bringing calls for policy that is focused more on prevention. In 2009 the MIC provided coordination for several emergency situations reported by the European Forest Fires Information System (EFFIS), and mobilising help in Spain, France or Italy.

Earlier this year, Romania raised the alarm in response to heavy floods that killed 25 people and within hours received offers of help from four EU nations.

Set up in 2001, the system can be also triggered by countries outside the EU, providing the EU agrees to help. This was the case after the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile or more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Recently Russia has been subjected to devastating fires and although the authorities have yet to request MIC help, many EU countries are providing assistance. Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton also expressed the EU’s readiness to offer support, both during and in the aftermath of the disaster.