National risks identified in Finland

This is a translation of the press release in Finnish published 11 February 2016

Finland's National Risk Assessment has been released. It was made to distinguish unanticipated events that may occur in Finland and that require exceptional measures by public authorities or create the need to request international civil protection assistance. The obligation of EU member states to make a national risk assessment arises from the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Our National Risk Assessment was submitted to the European Commission in December 2015.

Protection under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism covers people, the environment and property against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters, both within and outside the Union. These include the consequences of acts of terrorism, technological, radiological or environmental disasters, marine pollution and acute health emergencies.

Serious disruptions in energy supply constitute a wide-ranging event affecting society

The National Risk Assessment includes 21 possible event scenarios for Finland. The scenarios have been divided into two categories: wide-ranging events affecting society and serious regional events. Possible impacts of the former have been assessed to be as extensive as society must be prepared for them in any case.

Wide-ranging events affecting society comprise six scenarios in the event of which any disruptions to vital functions of society or to critical infrastructure would have considerable impacts on society. The risks include serious disruptions in energy supply and risks in the cyber domain.

Serious regional events consist of 15 scenarios the impacts of which remain within a relatively small area. They include events that cause damage to people, property and the environment, and they may cause limited disruption of critical infrastructure or vital functions. They may also lead to a situation where international civil protection assistance is necessary. The risks include extensive rapid flooding in urban areas, or a major rail transport accident.

Finland's National Risk Assessment 2015

Inquiries:

Mr Taito Vainio, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 423, [email protected]