Improving Europe’s crisis management awareness
The recent history of disasters, from natural events such as earthquakes, to man-made catastrophes, suggests there is more Europe can do to prepare for such events. “Persistent gaps in situational awareness, coordination and communication among authorities remain major challenges in disaster preparedness,” says Paolo Capuano, associate professor in Physics at the University of Salerno. “Future efforts must focus on addressing these deficiencies to improve response effectiveness and minimise delays in critical situations,” he adds. In the EU-funded CORE project, Capuano and the consortium team examined several case studies, including three man-made disasters: the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017, the Jerusalem wildfire in 2021, and the Venkatapuram industrial accident in 2020, to identify the significant gaps in Europe’s disaster preparedness and develop policy recommendations. “The guiding principle of the CORE project can be summarised as ‘learning from the past’, especially from what didn’t work well,” notes Capuano. “Evidence suggests that direct exposure to critical incidents, as seen in Japan, is among the most effective ways to enhance response readiness.”
Identifying gaps in Europe’s disaster preparedness
CORE first identified significant gaps in Europe’s disaster preparedness and sought to address these challenges by drawing on best practices from other contexts. “A key focus was on the critical need to enhance risk awareness, a factor that directly strengthens the resilience of both individuals and organisations,” says Capuano. The team carried out a comprehensive analysis of various disaster scenarios using a standardised case study template, which allowed for comparisons across contexts and cultures. CORE also undertook in-depth examinations of human factors and organisational dynamics, addressing these elements throughout all phases of the disaster management cycle. The project placed a special emphasis on social dimensions, including vulnerabilities of specific groups. The project also focused on citizen engagement, organising focus groups, interviews and surveys to gather insights from the public. “A key lesson learned was that people are not only willing to communicate during emergencies but also open to participating in efforts to improve preparedness and response,” remarks Capuano.
Actionable results for disaster management
Following extensive research, discussion and case-study analysis, the project created a series of actionable tools for policymakers, first responders and other stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and resilience. A key achievement of the project is the development of comprehensive policy recommendations tailored to various levels of governance, from local to national and EU-wide contexts. “By translating research findings into actionable strategies, CORE also promotes disaster resilience through evidence-based approaches that address real-world challenges,” explains Capuano. The project also sought to tackle misinformation during emergencies, a growing problem following the advent of social media. “By proposing tailored communication frameworks and fostering trust-building relationships among scientists, policymakers and communities, the project enhances collaborative efforts and ensures that information flows effectively during emergencies,” adds Capuano.
Helping to build Europe’s resilience to disasters
The CORE project aspires to help Europe become more resilient to the threats posed by man-made disasters by fostering collaboration throughout society. The team is actively promoting a range of initiatives designed to foster ongoing interaction between scientists, policymakers, citizens and practitioners, including webinars, workshops and potentially a summer school. “We hope to build on the foundation established by the CORE project and contribute to a more resilient and prepared Europe in the face of future challenges,” concludes Capuano.
Keywords
CORE, Europe, disaster, preparedness, management, evidence-based, resilience
