We are pleased to share that WOAH took part of the eighth edition of the European Civil Protection Forum, that took place on 4-5 June , Brussels, Belgium.
Upon finding a gap regarding animal health and welfare during disasters being addressed at the Forum, we have decided to take the opportunity to bring forward our work, building awareness and potentially starting new collaborations.
The forum is the key annual event for the civil protection community. A hub for knowledge exchange, collaboration and networking among stakeholders involved in European civil protection.
The European Civil Protection Forum 2024 aimed to address key policy and operational questions, inspire future developments in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), and generate networks and opportunities for collaboration in the field of disaster risk management.
The event is organised biennially by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and is expected to bring together more than 1,000 stakeholders including governments, local, national, and regional civil protection authorities, first responders, EU institutions, the scientific community, and the private sector.
This edition of the Forum was based around the theme of ‘Shaping a disaster-resilient union: charting a path for the future of European civil protection’. The event will be a key opportunity to look back at what has been achieved by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and to generate ideas for development, innovation and collaboration going forward.
At the WOAH stand, we had the privilege of engaging in conversations with a diverse group of around 40 participants. These individuals represented a wide range of sectors, including civil protection organizations, academia, NGOs, other governmental agencies, and the private sector. Their interest confirms the need to further explore opportunities for engagement with the civil protection community, bringing forward the crucial importance of involving the Veterinary Services.
