Mutual learning and exchange of good practices can help improve disaster risk management systems. From October 1 to 9, a European civil protection team of experts supported by the European Commission and CMCC representatives are taking part in an on-site mission to Romania to assist disaster risk management authorities through a Peer Review of disaster risk governance and prevention measures for disaster risk reduction in the country.

A Peer Review of disaster risk management provides a country with an opportunity to reflect on its readiness to cope with natural and human-induced disasters and to identify ways of improving risk prevention and preparedness.

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), under the framework of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), supports Member States to review their disaster risk management (DRM) policies and practices by taking stock of strengths and weaknesses, and putting forward recommendations to increase their effectiveness.

Based on an independent analysis, a peer review assists civil protection authorities in improving its disaster risk management capabilities, identifies better approaches to policy and operations, facilitates mutual learning and exchange of good practices, raises awareness among stakeholders involved in disaster risk management in the reviewed country, and proposes concrete recommendations.

In the week of October 1st – 9th, 2022, CMCC representatives will participate in an on-site mission to Romania, with the role of facilitator in the implementation of a Peer Review of disaster risk management in that country, as requested by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) within the UCPM Peer Review Programme 2020-2023 cycle.

CMCC representatives are guided by Jaroslav Mysiak, director of the Risk assessment and adaptation strategies division and coordinator of the project Peer Review of Disaster Risk Management, and Veronica Casartelli, a researcher at CMCC@Ca’Foscari.

Four independent experts (peers) from Croatia, France, Portugal and Spain selected by the European Commission will conduct the review assessment with the aim to identify areas for improvements and highlight good practices within the disaster risk management system in Romania. To this end, they will participate in multi-stakeholders’ meetings with public authorities, civil society organizations, academic and private sector entities, and collect views and information on managing disaster risk in the country.

The process will conclude with the preparation of a final report that will be handed over to the Romanian government in early 2023.

For more information:

• Peer Review of the Disaster Risk Management project
• European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
• ROMANIA: Thematic Peer Review on disaster risk governance and prevention measures for disaster risk reduction (factsheet)