1 March: World Civil Defence Day - Focus on support for civil defence, a flagship programme of Monaco’s Official Development Assistance

Burkina Faso National Fire Brigade. ©Sébastien Darrasse-Realis-DCI

The support provided by the Principality of Monaco as part of the civil defence assistance programme enables civil defence forces¹ to procure new equipment for fighting fires, tackling flooding, water rescue, road safety and providing emergency assistance to victims. The Monaco Fire and Emergency Service also sends emergency response equipment and vehicles, and conducts expert missions to the two countries.

Support to build infrastructure is also provided. The Prince’s Government has funded three emergency fire stations in Mauritania since 2010. The stations are located in districts of the capital Nouakchott which have no other coverage, and were established with technical support from Monaco company Eco System.

Finally, in terms of training, the programme supports a Regional Training Centre² project in Burkina Faso, which aims to train civil defence managers in command and crisis management. The Monaco Fire and Emergency Service has, for a number of years, hosted Mauritanian Civil Defence personnel for technical training in the Principality.

¹ Burkina Faso National Fire Brigade and Mauritania Civil Defence Directorate

² Higher Institute of Civil Defence Studies