In 1999, the European Union adopted the European civil protection action programme for the period 2000-2004. The two key themes of the programme were prevention and information. The aim was to anticipate and prevent disasters, on the one hand and, on the other, tell people of the risks they run and what they should do in the event of an accident. The programme also included activities in the medical field and the use of new technologies. With a budget of 7.5 million euro, it took over from the preceding 1998-1999 programme.