Share the page
PCAO: Project to Support Civil Protection in West Africa
Project
Published on
-
Project start date
-
Status
Ongoing
-
Project end date
-
-
Financing amount (Euro)
-
3.7 M
-
Country and region
-
Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo, Africa
-
Partners
-
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior (France), French National Fire Officers Academy (ENSOSP), Entente Valabre, Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP), Marseille Naval Fire Battalion (BMPM), Civil Protection Military Brigade (BMSC), Departmental Fire and Rescue Services (SDIS)
The PCAO project aims to strengthen the response capabilities of firefighters in six West African countries.
Civil protection as close as possible to communities
In an environment of instability in West African countries at risk from jihadist threats, the field of civil protection is a key element in the development strategy. It is also a component of the “security-defence” continuum of the cooperation implemented by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through its Security and Defence Cooperation Directorate (DCSD).
Indeed, civil protection provides States with valuable visibility and has immediate and clear benefits for the recipient populations. It builds closer ties between citizens, communities and States, in cases where there are sometimes more negative opinions of the other uniformed forces.
Increasing the response capabilities of emergency services
The Project to Support Civil Protection in West Africa aims to strengthen the response capabilities of firefighters in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo.
Since 2022, the third phase of the project has been working on three key aspects:
- Improving the response to floods
- Establishing rescue and clearance capabilities
- Developing roadside rescue and extrication capabilities
Training firefighters in our partner countries
The PCAO project is implemented by Expertise France, working closely with the Security and Defence Cooperation Directorate of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Through its action, the agency is contributing to:
- Training local fire brigades in our partner countries by sending French experts
- Promoting French excellence in civil protection by receiving African firefighting officers in our top schools (including the Paris Fire Brigade Training Centre and the Training School for Civil Security)
- Strengthening the response capabilities of our partners through the purchase and delivery of material and equipment.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG13 - Climate action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
SDG16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions
Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
Similar Projects
Strengthening nuclear safety in Africa
Ongoing
2024 - 2028
Funders : European Union, Government of France
