Red Cross EU Office and National Societies showcase expertise at the 8th European Civil Protection Forum

On 4 and 5 June 2024, the Red Cross EU Office and several of our member National Red Cross Societies participated in the 8th European Civil Protection Forum. 

The theme of this year's event, organised bi-annually by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), was "Shaping a disaster-resilient union: charting a path for the future of European civil protection." 

The purpose of the Forum is to bring together many significant Civil Protection players from across Europe to discuss important operational and policy issues, inspire future advancements in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), and create networks and opportunities for cooperation in disaster risk reduction. Red Cross colleagues from 9 European Countries attended the event and shared their expertise on disaster management by actively engaging in the discussions.  

For example, on Tuesday 4 June, the workshop titled “Behavioural Dimension of Disaster Prevention and Climate Adaptation,” saw the participation of Hungarian Red Cross Dr Brigitta Safar. Dr Safar emphasised the need to start educating children from a young age about disaster prevention and climate adaptation to boost their social awareness.  

On Wednesday 5 June, representatives from the Polish Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) European Regional Office were invited to participate in the “Reducing Risk Together” workshop. Our colleagues bridged disaster resilience and climate adaptation strategies, emphasising the key role of National Red Cross Societies in humanitarian education. 

Meanwhile, our booth in the Civil Protection Village highlighted how National Red Cross Societies work daily to support community resilience and civil protection efforts. Indeed, participants were invited to discover the elements of a disaster kit and connect them to the Red Cross' services as a “disaster kit” for public authorities. 

The engaging display highlighted the Red Cross' commitment to collaborating with civil protection actors to protect communities and create a stronger, safer future. The booth also spotlit three National Societies’ projects: the Red Roses Project, X-Stock and Ready to Help. 

Overall, our participation in the Forum was a great success in explaining the Red Cross' vital contributions and impact on Civil Protection and connecting with key stakeholders across Europe to foster future collaborations.