The severity and frequency of natural hazards and human-induced disasters are on the rise. To help people caught up in crises, the European Union supports a rapid and coordinated disaster response as well as disaster prevention and preparedness activities, both in Europe and globally. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism thus helps provide a coordinated response to better protect people, their environment, property and cultural heritage in the event of major disasters. The EU Civil Protection mechanism brings together all EU Member States, in addition to Iceland, Norway, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Turkey. These countries work together at national, regional and local levels. They assess risks, train their civil protection personnel together, pool and share resources, and jointly respond to the needs of the populations affected by disasters, both inside Europe and worldwide.

Investing in risk prevention and preparedness before a disaster takes place pays significant dividends compared to facing the costs for relief, recovery and reconstruction afterwards. The European Commission supports and complements prevention efforts of the states participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by focusing on areas where a common European approach is more effective than separate national approaches.

This book comprehensively analyzes the global illusion of citizen protection so common today.