Upgrading the capabilities and tools to respond to catastrophes by strengthening international cooperation. This proposal was launched by a report adopted by the EU Commission, in the attempt to respond to the "rising number of challenges related to natural or man-induced disasters", "in the territory and outside the common boundaries". The president of the EU Executive, José Manuel Barroso, explains: "Whether we have to help the victims of tsunami in Asia or fight against the floods and fires in the woods of Europe, we can protect our citizens and the others only if we join forces with solidarity". Even in its response to catastrophes, "Europe is stronger if we put our experiences together". The proposal aims at assessing all the available resources and new possible measures for a plan to be implemented before the end of 2008. Many initiatives have been pointed out by the EU Commission, including: turning the common civil defence mechanism (CIM) into a veritable operating unit; upgrading humanitarian aids; establishing a European network for training people in how to respond to catastrophes; improving quick-alarm systems and "promoting the use of the emergency hotline 112".
