| A major simulation exercise is kicking off today in France. VAR 2008, a four-day drill, is a series of simulated terrorist attacks designed to test countries' response capacities to possible terrorist situations. The exercise, which is being organised under the framework of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism will run from 4 to 7 November and will be concluded by a lessons learnt workshop. VAR 2008 is organised by France as one of the important events of the French Presidency. The exercise will involve civil protection teams from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden. It will give participants the opportunity to train ahead of potential response operations in Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) situations, and to test European countries' cooperation capabilities. The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), which is the central operating hub of the Mechanism and links the civil protection authorities of 30 participating European countries, has facilitated the coordination of the international teams as it does in real emergencies. The European Commission finances 75% of the eligible costs of the exercise. Since its launch in 2001, the Mechanism has monitored close to 100 disasters and has been active in over 60. Boosting Community cooperation when national emergencies arise, some of its most important interventions include Greece's wildfires last year and more recently, this year's cyclone in Myanmar as well as China's devastating earthquake. For more information on European civil protection: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/index.htm |