Eastern Macedonia and Thrace presents disaster preparedness measures at OECD conference in Valencia
Regional authorities outlined wildfire prevention, flood protection, infrastructure improvements and cross-border cooperation at an international conference on disaster resilience in Spain.
The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace presented its initiatives to strengthen civil protection and improve preparedness for natural disasters at an international conference organised in Valencia, Spain, on 5–6 October.
Charalambos Dalkitzis, Deputy Regional Governor, outlined the region’s measures to prevent wildfires and floods, reinforce critical infrastructure and strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries at the conference, titled From Crisis to Recovery: Enhancing Regional Disaster Resilience.
The event brought together representatives of the Spanish government, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and regional authorities from several countries. It also marked the launch of the OECD Platform on Regional Disaster Resilience, an initiative designed to promote knowledge-sharing, exchange good practices and strengthen the capacity of regions and cities to respond to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS
Dalkitzis participated in a leaders’ session alongside representatives from Spain, Brazil and France, discussing responses to wildfires and other climate-related disasters. He presented the region’s ongoing initiatives to improve preparedness for increasingly complex risks.
Following the devastating Evros wildfire in 2023, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has prioritised prevention, early preparedness and coordination among the authorities responsible for civil protection.
According to the regional administration, planned interventions include improvements to 170 kilometres of firebreaks and 1,700 kilometres of forest roads. Aerial surveillance using drones is also being strengthened, while the region is compiling records of available machinery and personnel to facilitate the rapid deployment of resources during emergencies.
Preparations before the wildfire season also include operational planning, joint exercises and closer cooperation with the Fire Service, municipalities and other relevant authorities.
FLOOD PROTECTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Flood prevention is another key component of the region’s civil protection strategy.
New hydrometeorological stations along the Evros and Ardas rivers, together with telemetry systems at flood-prone locations, are intended to improve water monitoring and enable earlier warnings of potential flooding.
The regional programme, with a budget of €31.5 million, includes primarily flood protection projects and improvements to road connectivity and safety.
CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION WITH BULGARIA
Dalkitzis also emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation, noting that wildfires, floods and extreme weather events do not stop at national borders.
Cooperation with Bulgaria is being developed through joint initiatives and European programmes, including Interreg Greece–Bulgaria. Areas of collaboration include flood prevention, water monitoring, training for personnel and volunteers, and the exchange of technical expertise.
Effective civil protection, Dalkitzis stressed, requires cooperation before disasters occur, supported by common protocols, regular exercises, the rapid exchange of information and reliable coordination mechanisms.
STRENGTHENING REGIONAL RESILIENCE
The region’s participation in the OECD conference is intended to expand opportunities to exchange experience and good practices with regional authorities worldwide.
The stated objective is to translate international expertise into practical measures that protect residents, infrastructure and the natural environment while strengthening local communities’ resilience to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
Source: Paratiritis News
