A special report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), published in the Official Journal on 26 June 2026, concludes that the rescEU reserve under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism makes a valuable contribution to European civil protection but suffers from planning weaknesses that hamper implementation and sustainability. The General Secretariat of the Council informed EU delegations of the report via an information note dated 8 July 2026.
The ECA report No 17/2026, available in 24 EU languages on the Court's website, assesses the rescEU reserve, which was established to strengthen the EU's capacity to respond to natural disasters and health emergencies. The auditors found that while the reserve has improved the availability of critical assets such as firefighting aircraft, medical supplies, and shelter equipment, shortcomings in strategic planning have led to delays in procurement, gaps in coverage, and questions about the long-term financial sustainability of the programme. The report recommends that the European Commission and member states improve coordination, set clearer priorities, and ensure stable funding to maintain the reserve's effectiveness.
The findings come as the EU faces increasing climate-related disasters, including wildfires and floods, which have tested the bloc's emergency response capabilities. The ECA's assessment provides a basis for upcoming discussions among member states on the future of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, with the Council expected to examine the report's recommendations in the coming months.