Joint EU reserve: rescEU

rescEU Stockpiles in Finland

The rescEU CBRN stockpile project (rescEU CBRN) began in 2023. The materials stored are used to prepare for chemical (C), biological (B), radiological (R) and nuclear (N) threats. 

Creation of the second rescEU stockpile (rescEU Medical) in Finland began in 2024. This project stockpiles medical materials and medicines. 

The rescEU stockpiles are intended for countries of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in situations where the requesting country’s internal resources are insufficient to respond to a crisis or an emergency and the country request an international assistance. 

The EU commission covers the establishing and maintenance cost of the stockpiles. Finland’s two stockpiles will have a total value of nearly EUR 305 million. Currently, funding for these projects will last until the autumn of 2026. 

In Finland, the projects are implemented by a consortium of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the National Emergency Supply Agency, and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. 

rescEU CBRN Stockpile

The materials acquired for the CBRN stockpiles are used to prepare for chemical (C), biological (B), radiological (R) and nuclear (N) threats. The reserves will contain protective equipment such as overalls, face masks, gloves, footwear, protective eyewear and helmets, among other things. 

Additionally, the stockpile will include chemical and radiation measuring equipment, as well as testing kits for identifying biological material. A significant share of the materials are medicines and antibodies required in CBRN situations. The stockpiles will also contain vaccines for many infectious diseases of various kinds. 

Materials stored in the CBRN stockpiles are intended for both first responders and the civilian population in various CBRN accidents and crises such as a chemical or nuclear plant incident, terrorist attack, or cross-border epidemic.

The first materials have been ready for deployment since January 2024. It is intended that the stockpile will reach full capacity during 2025.

In total, the project carries a cost of EUR 242 million. In scope, the project’s scale is significant and is the first strategic CBRN capacity in Europe.

Project managers:
Tarja Rantala, Ministry of the Interior
Pertti Kelloniemi, Ministry of the Interior

rescEU Medical Stockpile 

The rescEU Medical project is establishing stockpiles of medical materials and medicines, with the focus on treatment of trauma patients in mass casualty incidents. These scenarios could be large-scale terrorist attacks, armed conflicts or major natural disasters such as earthquakes. Additionally, this capacity increases EU preparedness for cross-border health threats such as pandemics and CBRN threats.

The stockpiles will include healthcare materials such as emergency medical supplies, surgical instruments and small medical devices. They will also include medicines used in emergency and intensive care, as well as antimicrobials used to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance on public health. Additionally, thyroid and food monitors will complement the measurement equipment stockpiled in the CBRN project. The materials are mainly intended for the use of healthcare professionals. 

The first medical materials will arrive to warehouses in first half of 2025. All materials will be ready for deployment by the summer of 2026. The total cost of the project is €63 million. 

Project managers:
Ilona Hatakka, Ministry of the Interior
Piia Ollila, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

EU Civil Protection Mechanism

In recent years, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism has become one of the central mechanisms of international aid. The mechanism aims to improve disaster preparation and response readiness.

RescEU capabilities are relayed to countries that request them through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition to the EU member states, many EU neighbours have also joined the mechanism. The EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) coordinates aid measures, and the Commission decides which country will receive aid, and from which country’s rescEU reserve the aid is sent.

Aid requests are possible when the country’s internal resources are insufficient to handle a serious accident or disruption. This aid can come in the form of expert, rescue formation or material aid. Aid must be ready to be sent within 12 hours of the approval of an aid request.

RescEU reserves are fully EU-funded operations. Various member states manage the rescEU capabilities, the best known of which is the wildfire air fleet. There are also various medical reserves around Europe for rapidly spreading epidemics, as well as medical evacuation equipment. 

Finland’s CBRN and Medical reserves are the newest additions to the rescEU family. In total, the 21 member states have created 21 CBRN and/or medical reserves. 

See the locations of the rescEU reserves 

Read more about the Union Civil Protection Mechanism on the EU Commission website