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This report provides an independent evaluation of the benefits, costs, opportunities, and risks for Switzerland in becoming a participating state of the UCPM. Situated geographically in the heart of Europe, hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, nuclear accidents, and pandemics, will affect Switzerland alongside other European countries. Emerging hazards related to, for example, climate change and socio-technical transformations, pose a growing challenge to all European countries. Swiss citizens living and travelling abroad, like fellow European citizens, are increasingly exposed to extreme weather events, biological hazards, and political instability worldwide.

The report identifies many immediate benefits and long-term opportunities for Switzerland in becoming a Participating State.

• A closer collaboration with the UCPM could significantly increase the capacity of Swiss cantonal and federal authorities in civil protection to prepare for and respond to current and future hazards. If a major disaster impacts Switzerland, participation would provide cantonal and federal authorities with access to the pooled and certified response capacities of the current 27 Member States and 6 Participating States, as well as the rescEU strategic reserve.
• Tapping into the UCPM’s transnational expertise, communication and data gathering systems, training program, and knowledge networks, could furthermore increase Switzerland’s national capacity to prepare for and adapt to evolving and emerging hazards.
• Participation in the UCPM could also foster the collaboration of civil protection agencies at cantonal and federal levels, while providing Swiss personnel with more opportunities to gain operational experience with a smaller price tag.
• Switzerland’s response to disasters and emergencies internationally could benefit from the UCPM’s financial and logistical support, including the coordinating services and satellite surveillance capacities of its Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Closer collaboration between Switzerland and the Mechanism may therefore increase the efficiency and flexibility of Swiss Humanitarian Aid.
• While maintaining full sovereign control over national response assets, becoming a Participating State would lower operational costs through partial reimbursement from the Mechanism when resources are deployed.