How to resolve AdBlock issue? EU sets up $250m CBRN reserve in Finland
Reuters reported that the RescEU element of the European Commission (see interview with Dr Cavallo in CBRNe World 2022-01) had provided Finland with 242 million euros ($262 million) to set up for the first time a reserve against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats for use by all member states. The reserve will consist of rescue equipment and medical supplies, such as antidotes and radiation metres, that are intended to protect first responders and the civilian population, Finland's interior ministry said. Ready for use from 2024, the reserve aims to dispatch supplies to a disaster or crisis area within 12 hours of an offer of assistance being accepted, it added.
Also Reliefweb noted the new RescEU centre in Poland, that is being used for energy donations for Ukraine: Today, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, are visiting the new rescEU energy hub in Poland that will act as a logistical centre for delivering emergency energy assistance to Ukraine. The EU hub will allow international partners and the private sector to help channel their donations, while also fully financing the transport of supplies from the hub to Ukraine. The hub is being used to deliver power generators to Ukraine, helping the country sustain electricity supply in the midst of Russia's deliberate attacks on its energy infrastructure. These EU-channelled generators range from smaller sizes, capable of powering single households, to much larger models suitable for keeping public buildings and vital community services running such as hospitals and central heating points. The EU has awarded €114 million to Poland for purchasing generators to be part of this rescEU energy reserve. As a first step, 1,000 new generators from the rescEU reserve in Poland will be delivered to Ukraine. This comes on top of the 1,400 generators and millions of energy items already offered via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism