Romania and Hungary share 448km of land borders which are subject to natural and human-induced disasters. These disasters range from floods, emerging from the Crișul Repede river spanning in both countries, fires and snow which are intensified due to the poor road connectivity of isolated border regions. This good practice article highlights the mutual efforts of Romania and Hungary to address risks and disasters, showcasing how borders can be seen as opportunities rather than barriers.

WHAT

A part of these mutual efforts was the inception of the DIRCCES project (Development of an integrated response capacity to cross-border emergency situations), in late 2019. The overall objective of the DIRCCES project was to enhance the human safety level of the populations from the cross-border region and thus, to reduce the social, economic and environmental costs of natural disasters in this territory.   

The project adopted an integrated approach to risk management emphasizing on:

Prevention: Implementing structural and spatial measures, especially for flood control.

Sustainability: Focusing on managing ecologically valuable areas.

Disaster Management: Enhancing emergency response services and coordination.

Cross-Border Cooperation: Collaborating on a regional scale to combat shared risks effectively.

Public Involvement: Engaging communities to increase awareness and preparedness.

To achieve these goals, the project employs practical examples from EU initiatives, analyzing challenges and obstacles faced in implementing sustainable risk management measures across regional borders.

WHO

The project involves three key partners: the Romanian Town of Aleşd who is the lead beneficiary, the Commune of Şinteu, and the Town of Szarvas in Hungary. 

WHERE

The Crisul Repede River, starting from Aleşd and Şinteu in Romania, extending towards Szarvas in Hungary. This cross-border territory faces annual challenges due to its proximity to the river and is prone to disruptive natural events.

HOW

The project’s budget was 485,400€ and was co-financed by 399,532.74€ through the 2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A Romania – Hungary Programme.

RESULTS

The outcomes of the DIRCCES project are presented below:

Infrastructure Upgrades: Vehicles, equipment and tools for fire-fighting, flood management, extrication etc. were purchased to enhance emergency situation response. 

Improved Emergency Services: Approximately 100 people on voluntary or contractual basis are involved at emergency situation handling allowing for reduced response time and improved disaster handling.

Community Awareness: Over 38,000 individuals in six cross-border communities show increased awareness regarding risk prevention and disaster response. 

Capacity Building: Coordination of joint activities including simulations and drills related to emergency procedures to develop improved disaster management.