Finland will build up the largest strategic reserve of emergency supplies in the European Union after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an effort within the bloc to boost its crisis preparedness.
The project, which received €242 million in funding from the European Commission, will set up a strategic reserve intended for use by countries in the Northern and Eastern Europe in case of emergencies, Finland’s Interior Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threats are more likely due to the current global situation, and that is what motivates the European Commission as well,” Tarja Rantala, a project manager at the ministry, said in an interview. “This is also connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” The stockpile to be largely built up during 2024 in Finland will include protective and measurement equipment, detectors, rapid tests as well as medicines and vaccines to be used by both first responders and the civilian population, also in case of pandemics, Rantala added.
While similar stocks are also being established in France, Poland and Croatia, the set up in Finland is the largest one, covering both protective and medical materials as part of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. The idea is also for local authorities to expand their skill sets, with the EU expecting Finland to provide “groundbreaking” knowledge and experience as it drafts guidelines by the end of 2023 on managing and deploying the bloc’s strategic reserves.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ontario premier refuses to back away from plans to build on protected Greenbelt - constructconnect.comMISSISSAUGA, ON. - Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will not back away from plans to build on the protected Greenbelt despite a damning auditor general report and experts saying his housing targets can be met by building elsewhere. Ford says no one rece
Read more »
How the feds could push cities to build more homes — with a carrot or stickFrom local zoning to community consultations, there are plenty of ways cities are hitting the brakes on residential construction, even as Canada faces a significant housing shortage.
Read more »
Ontario premier refuses to back away from plans to build on protected GreenbeltNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »
How the feds could push cities to build more homes -- with a carrot or stickFrom local zoning to community consultations, there are plenty of ways cities are hitting the brakes on residential construction, even as Canada faces a significant housing shortage.
Read more »
Northern Ont. delegation to visit Finland's nuclear waste repositoryThe Nuclear Waste Management Organization has paid for trips by groups from Wabigoon Lake First Nation and South Bruce.
Read more »
Finance minister defends Greenbelt removals after hundreds protest outside his officePeter Bethlenfalvy said his government has a 'responsibility' to build
Read more »