A new civil protection programme in the Mediterranean region, building on the achievements of the successful Euro-Mediterranean Regional Programme for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to natural and man-made disasters (PPRD) was launched by the European Commission. The new programme, that will start in the spring of 2013 and will run until 2016, will have a strong focus on prevention and preparation rather than on response to disasters.

The European Commission is launching a new civil protection programme in the Mediterranean region. The new programme, that will start in the spring of 2013 and will run until 2016, builds on the achievements of the successful Euro-Mediterranean Regional Programme for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to natural and man-made disasters (PPRD). The new programme will be financed with €5 million from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

This programme will focus on prevention and preparation rather than on response to disasters. It is aimed at reinforcing co-operation between the EU and the Southern Mediterranean Partner institutions involved in civil protection; Encouraging coordinated responses of countries affected by the same disaster; And stimulating the development of a regional approach to disaster management, based on prevention and preparedness; involving not only governments but also civil society.

The PPRD South I Programme has set up an effective network of National Correspondents for Civil Protection in the region. It has provided extensive training and has reinforced the region's ability to prepare and react to disasters. The programme’s beneficiary countries are Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, Turkey, Israel, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. Mauritania participates as observer.