In the crisis room of the European Commission, in the time of Coronavirus
(B2) In an anonymous building in the European district, the crises of the world collide. Yesterday it was forest fires, today it's the Coronavirus. And tomorrow we don't know yet. Welcome to the CERU operating room, the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Center
An eye always open to a possible crisis
Four giant maps are displayed on a wall. They provide information in real time. Four TVs broadcast news channels continuously. BBC, France 24, CNN, Al Jazeera. New York 10:30 a.m., Brussels 16:30 p.m., Wuhan 23:30 p.m. Two or three people are there permanently in the crisis room. Eyes always open, in case disaster strikes. Here, we anticipate, analyze and respond to crises. But the motto remains the same. It also appears on the pediment of the CERU crisis room (aka ERCC in English): " protect European citizens around the world ».
One objective: to protect European citizens
The number one task of the Crisis Center of DG 'European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations' (ECHO) is monitoring (or 'monitoring' in Brussels jargon). In this room where sometimes only the blades of vibrating computers rustle, the atmosphere is studious among the men and women in blue vests 'European civil protection'. Between the probability of a tsunami, a flood, the impact of an earthquake, the threat of violence, or the spread of an epidemic, the risks are varied.
Each operation is a unique case
Each operation is improvised, we are told. After each crisis management, the center's teams hold a meeting to learn from their experience. Not when the operation is in progress or the day after, but as soon as it is finished. This avoids doing it while they are exhausted, or some other crisis arises. The repatriation of Europeans to Europe from China in the context of the Coronavirus is “ a first " For example. Because it is not a medical evacuation of affected patients, as was the case for Ebola. We are here in a safeguard mechanism, to prevent the infection of European citizens. A unique case. Until then, no State had activated the mechanism as a preventive measure.
Anticipating natural disasters
On the one hand, the personnel of the crisis room, behind their computers, scientifically analyze the data to anticipate natural disasters. They create and have continuous access to monitoring of the risks of floods and forest fires in Europe. In the middle of winter, the Center particularly monitors heavy rainfall and creates alerts if there is a need to evacuate. In summer, we are more focused on abnormally high heat, areas at risk of forest fires.
Homemade maps
To cover the whole world, the European Union uses its map produced with the United Nations. Interactive and accessible by all, it allows real-time monitoring of floods, cyclones, forest fires, earthquakes, etc. The civil protection mechanism can indeed also be activated for a mission outside the European Union. This is the case, for example, for the repatriation of Europeans from Wuhan (China), threatened by the Coronavirus. But this is not a first (1).
Receive information, compile it and redistribute it
If there is a disaster, the operations room staff have one main mission: to receive, compile and redistribute information from and to the Member States. A valuable function in a Coronavirus type crisis. Europeans, from the province of Wuhan, use different points of contact (consulates, embassies, capitals). Several authorities can then be notified with a risk of duplication. This is where, for example, the Center in Brussels comes into play: it strives to " triangulate information ". This means knowing who is where, and guaranteeing effective protection and transmitting information in a timely manner.
Behind the glass, the 'back-office'
Behind glass doors in the next room is a second part of the team. They are the ones who analyze the data and provide the " day cards » analyzes of the crisis situation. On this day at the end of January, they represent China: we read how many people are infected and dead. This device also makes it possible to manage at least two big seizures at the same time ". The Center has prepared for it.
Coordinate the response between States
Developing such a system and putting it on screen is not original in itself. But the contribution of the Center lies elsewhere, in its ability to offer States a platform for mutual assistance, discussion and coordination. Once the 'civil protection mechanism' has been activated – an essential step without which the Center cannot act – if a Member State or a third State needs help, it is the Center that it calls, not the others Member States. From this moment on, a well-rehearsed choreography takes place: the participating States meet every day.
... without forgetting the financial and human help
The objective is to coordinate their response to repatriate European citizens, and to deal with logistical concerns, such as the language barrier. European Union aid does not stop there. It can also send a person to the field as a liaison officer to help with coordination and finance 75% of the Member States' transport costs. A great help.
No politics, only humanitarian
In the crisis room, the reflex is the same as in all emergency services: we leave politics at the door. We do not ask ourselves whether China is a reliable partner. This belongs to other spheres. Here, the question is above all operational and... humanitarian. The authorities are called to have or verify information and see how to move forward at the operational level. The same goes for the repatriation of Europeans. The plane sent by France to Wuhan thus takes more account of the criterion of the vulnerability of people than that of nationality to sort out among the first returnees.
More automatic activation over the years
The evolution has been clear for several years. Not only are disasters more recurrent, but the activation of the civil protection mechanism by States is now easier than before. " States leave their ego aside a little more than a few years ago », we are told. They no longer wait for the last moment.
(Aurélie Pugnet, at the crisis center)
(1) Read, for example:
- Indonesia. Brussels triggers the 'blue' plan (October 2018)
- Fires rage in Sweden. French canadairs arrive (July 2018)
- Fires in Greece, the European alert launched (July 2018)
- Greece calls on Europe for help. It was time ! (December 2015)
- Earthquake in Nepal. European aid gets under way (April 2015)
- Fires in Portugal: Croatian Canadairs back in action (September 2013)
- Fires in Bosnia: Croatian Canadairs as reinforcements (August 2013)
- The civil protection mechanism to the rescue of Moldova (January 2009)
- In India, mobilization of the EU "civil protection" mechanism (January 2008)
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