The Ukrainian Red Cross participates in the EU Civil Protection Forum in Brussels

The European Civil Protection Forum is taking place in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together representatives of government authorities, humanitarian organisations, civil protection services, experts and international partners to discuss emergency preparedness and ways to strengthen community resilience.

The Ukrainian Red Cross is represented at the forum by a delegation led by its President, Maksym Dotsenko.
During a panel discussion entitled ‘Operationalising Preparedness and Resilience: Insights from Ukraine’, Maksym Dotsenko shared Ukraine’s experience in responding to emergencies during the full-scale war, strengthening the capacity of emergency response services and fostering cooperation between government institutions and humanitarian organisations.

“Ukraine’s experience shows that emergency preparedness is not just about resources and equipment. Above all, it is about people, their training, their ability to act quickly and effective coordination between all services. During the full-scale war, we see every day how important it is to invest in strengthening local capacities, training volunteers and building community resilience. This is what determines how quickly assistance reaches those who need it,” Maksym Dotsenko said.

The forum also features a dedicated space showcasing the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross. Visitors can learn about the organisation’s emergency response activities and its cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in responding to the aftermath of Russian attacks. Particular attention is given to the work of volunteers who provide assistance to people affected by attacks directly at the sites of the strikes.