Grant Map EU

The latest UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction says that the number of disaster events has increased significantly in recent decades. Between 1970 and 2000, disasters occurred an average of 90-100 times per year. Between 2001 and 2020, by contrast, the numbers were 350-500. The study shows that if this trend continues, the annual number of natural disasters could rise to 560 by 2030. This is a 40 per cent increase. The UN report also shows that the frequency of extreme temperatures will triple by 2030. The increase in temperatures associated with a warming climate results in more frequent and longer periods of drought and this translates into more fires, both of infrastructure facilities and the natural environment, such as forests and peat bogs. In the project territory on the Ukrainian side, there have been 1132 fires in the last 5 years, resulting in 52 deaths and 12 injuries. A total of 18 forest fires and 11 peatland fires were registered. On the Polish side, there were a total of 1,694 forest and peatland fires between 2019 and 2023, with a total number of fatalities in fires of -162. In addition, on the territory of municipalities on the Ukrainian side, there are 65 hazardous facilities where flammable and explosive substances are stored. These facilities pose a serious threat to the population living on both sides of the border due to the increased risk of explosions and toxic emissions, which also poses a threat to the environment. The main challenge and need for public services in this context is to ensure the safety of local communities related to the protection of property, health and life. A problem that has arisen due to the increase in the number and frequency of natural disasters is the shortage of adequate equipment and specialised equipment for TSO units on both sides of the border. The higher number of fires that break out during periods of drought requires greater simultaneous use of both people and equipment. The main objectiv