EU commissioner reviews disaster response capacity during wildfire season

On July 25, 2026, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, highlighted the operational readiness of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) in Brussels. Addressing the ongoing, challenging wildfire season, Lahbib emphasized that the needs and operational capacity of the new firefighting hub in Cyprus will be formally evaluated only after the current season concludes.

The ERCC operates 24/7 under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, coordinating resources among 27 EU member states, candidate countries, and Norway. The center manages diverse crises, ranging from European wildfires to humanitarian efforts like medical evacuations from Ukraine and Gaza. According to the Commissioner, the ERCC coordinates and provides co-funding, covering up to 100% of costs once a member state formally requests assistance and receives support from other participating nations. Lahbib stressed that the mechanism is designed for proactive engagement rather than purely reactive measures once fires have already ignited.