On 30 October 2026, the European Commission published the latest Special Eurobarometer on EU Civil Protection, showing very strong public support for a coordinated European approach to disaster preparedness and response. Detailed results are available on the Eurobarometer survey page, while information about the forthcoming event and livestream is available on the 9th European Civil Protection Forum website.

Nine in ten Europeans consider it important for the EU to help coordinate disaster response, both within its territories and in other countries. At the same time, 94 % agree that Member States should support one another when a disaster overwhelms an individual country’s capacity to cope.

Support for further strengthening cooperation is equally clear: 91 % of respondents agree that coordinated EU action should be strengthened further to deal more effectively with disasters and crises in the future. The same share, 91 %, believes that European assistance should also be provided to countries outside the EU when they face major disasters.

The findings fit into the broader Preparedness Union Strategy, based on all-hazards, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. When an emergency occurs, countries can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with the Emergency Response Coordination Centre mobilising European assistance or expertise.

European preparedness will also be in focus at the 9th European Civil Protection Forum, taking place on 3–4 November 2026 in Brussels under the theme “Preparing today, ready for tomorrow”. The Forum will bring together policymakers, civil protection authorities, first responders, practitioners and researchers, with selected sessions available via livestream.