Finland to set up network of emergency equipment, medicine depots

The European Commission has decided to finance the creation of a network of emergency equipment and medicine warehouses in Finland.

The remarks came from the Finnish Interior Minister Krista Mikkonen, Interfax reports via Yle.

"The warehouses to be set up in Finland will increase the European Union's strategic preparedness and readiness to respond to various kinds of threats, especially in the Northern Europe and Baltic Sea region. Joint preparedness is even more important in the changed security environment," she said.

According to her, there is no direct threat to Finland or neighbouring countries yet, "but now is the time to better prepare for possible threats". This applies in particular to the coronavirus pandemic and the situation in Ukraine, the minister added.

The RescEU project intends to build storage facilities for personal protective equipment, measuring equipment, medicines and antibodies in Finland in case of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear accidents. RescEU also includes mobile shelters for displaced persons. RescEU is one of the pan-European civil defence capacity reserves.

The cost of the project is 242 million euros. The Finnish Interior Ministry is implementing it in cooperation with the Social Affairs and Health Ministry, the National Institute for Health and Welfare, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

The storage facilities will be located throughout the country; their locations have not been disclosed.