Syria’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Disaster Response is participating in a regional workshop in Barcelona focused on improving wildfire preparedness and response across Mediterranean countries. The event is hosted by the European Union and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Speaking during a session on national best practices, Deputy Minister Ahmad Qazziz outlined Syria’s efforts to develop its first national early-warning system for forest protection. He said the system is expected to be introduced soon and is intended to strengthen rapid-response capabilities and reduce environmental and human losses.
Qazziz also discussed lessons learned from Syria’s wildfire response this year, pointing to operational challenges and difficult on-the-ground conditions. He underscored the need for stronger regional cooperation with neighboring countries to enhance joint response efforts and share expertise.
The two-day workshop, held on October 25–26 with participation from civil defense and emergency officials from several countries, aims to bolster international coordination in tackling natural disasters.
Wildfires have surged across the Mediterranean in recent years, driven largely by climate change. Syrian officials describe the new early-warning system as a strategic step toward modernizing the country’s disaster-response infrastructure and safeguarding natural resources.
