Press Release: Emergency Response Centre: for a faster and more efficient European response to disasters

The European Commission is launching its Emergency Response Centre (ERC) on 15 May 2013, which will provide a better coordinated, faster and more efficient European response to disasters in Europe and the world.

The ERC will be operational on a 24/7 basis, capable of dealing with up to three simultaneous emergencies in different time zones. It will receive and analyse appeals for assistance from affected countries and serve as a hub to support coordination at various levels: Commission, Member States, the affected country, humanitarian partners and civil protection teams deployed to the field.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Rapid: MEMO/13/427: Q/A: The European Emergency Response Centre Opens http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-427_en.htm

European Commission: Rapid: SPEECH/13/412: Speech by President Barroso at opening of the European Emergency Response Centre http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-412_en.htm

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