ENG- rescEU Campaign: Phase II

​​Contents 

Introduction to the rescEU campaign 

rescEU is an EU-funded reserve of Civil Protection capacities with the objective of enhancing preparedness and effectively responding to disasters of various types. ​ ​ 

When a disaster strikes a country, it can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Once activated, the EU channels assistance from EU Member States, plus 10 participating states, through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. 

The rescEU reserve, which became legally effective in March 2019, is a fundamental tool in the EU Civil Protection’s disaster preparedness and response operations, providing an additional layer of protection. It is Europe’s own reserve of common resources, including firefighting planes, power generators and medical supplies, ready to support, wherever they are needed, 24/7. ​ ​ 

Objectives of the campaign

The objectives of the campaign are to raise awareness about rescEU and its role in enhancing preparedness and effectively responding to various emergencies. ​ 

It aims to engage the audience and increase support for the EU civil protection preparedness and response initiatives. ​ 

Informing the public about the role of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is also a key objective, showcasing the comprehensive approach taken by the EU in managing emergencies. 

Target audience 

The target audience is people aged 35–64 years in the seven EU countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, The Netherlands. 

We have created a visually engaging scrolly-telling style website. It begins with a 90-second video that succinctly tells the story and a brief history of rescEU. Visitors can then scroll down to see facts, figures, stories and maps about our chosen stories. The website ends with a look at the future and the ways that the EU continues to strengthen rescEU. The campaign focuses on three recent operations that have involved rescEU resources: wildfires in Greece and in Bulgaria, the earthquake in Türkiye and Russia's war against Ukraine. Each story has a link to one or more of our target audience countries. ​ 

Key messages of the campaign

Relevant links, hashtags, and social media accounts

Campaign website: https://ec.europa.eu/stories/resceu_en 

Hashtags: #rescEU

DG ECHO accounts to tag: 

Social media posts

Posts on the general video about rescEU 

To help EU countries prepare for disasters, EU Civil Protection finances and positions rescEU firefighting planes, emergency supplies and vital equipment across Europe, ready to help in case of emergency. ​ ​ ​
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​Learn how [EU] Civil Protection helps protect citizens in times of crisis. ​
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​#rescEU 

Posts on Campaign Stories 

Stories about the wildfires in Bulgaria – Bulgaria and Czechia  

For these countries, we focus on the wildfires in Bulgaria in 2024, where Bulgaria received assistance from 2 helicopters from Czechia, one of them from the rescEU firefighting fleet. ​ 

Social media post

The EU Civil Protection’s rescEU firefighting fleet is stationed across Europe ready to help in case of emergency. When wildfires struck Bulgaria in 2024, the EU deployed a rescEU helicopter from Czechia and coordinated the deployment of further aircraft from other countries to fight the flames
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​Learn how [EU] Civil Protection helps protect citizens in times of crisis. ​ ​
​​
​#rescEU

Stories about the wildfires in Greece – Greece and France 

In the summer of 2024, Greece faced devastating wildfires in the Attica region. To combat the blaze, Greece received vital assistance from France, which deployed a rescEU firefighting helicopter. 

Social media post

The EU Civil Protection’s rescEU firefighting fleet is stationed across Europe ready to help in case of emergency. In 2024, when devastating wildfires broke out in Greece, the EU deployed a rescEU helicopter from France and coordinated the deployment of further aircraft from other countries to fight the flames. ​ ​

Story about the war in Ukraine – Belgium, The Netherlands, Hungary 

During the ongoing war in Ukraine, the essential medical equipment from rescEU reserves were hosted in the Netherlands and Hungary before deployment. Additionally, Belgium has established a hub for donations, facilitating the collection and distribution of vital supplies. 

Social media posts  by country

The Netherlands ​ 

The EU Civil Protection positions lifesaving rescEU reserves across Europe, ready to deploy in an emergency. As the war in Ukraine continues to strain the healthcare system, the EU has deployed rescEU medical equipment from the Netherlands and other countries to support patients in need.
​​
​​ Learn how [EU] Civil Protection helps protect citizens in times of crisis.
​​
​#rescEU

Hungary 

The EU Civil Protection positions lifesaving rescEU reserves across Europe, ready to be deployed in an emergency. As the war in Ukraine continues to strain the healthcare system, the EU has deployed rescEU medical equipment from Hungary and other countries to support patients in need. ​
​​
​Learn how [EU] Civil Protection helps protect citizens in times of crisis
​​
​#rescEU

Belgium  

The EU Civil Protection positions lifesaving rescEU reserves across Europe, ready to help in case of emergency. The rescEU donation hub in Belgium is key to channel vaccines and medicines to Ukraine. The EU is also deploying rescEU assets from other countries, such as generators, power transformers, and vehicles.
​​
​Learn how [EU] Civil Protection helps protect citizens in times of crisis.
​​
​#rescEU