Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods occurred in 2024

PURPOSE: to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Germany and Italy relating to floods occurred in 2024.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: the proposed decision covers the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR  116 031 553 to provide assistance to Germany and Italy in relation to the natural disaster (floods) that took place in 2024.

The European Union Solidarity Fund, set up by Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by major or regional natural disasters or major public health emergency.

Major disaster: floods in Southern Germany

On 30 May 2024, Germany was hit by torrential rain causing extreme flooding in Southern Germany at the beginning of June. The flood disaster led to 6 fatalities and the failure of several dams in the region, requiring the evacuation of several municipalities and rescue missions. Floodwaters and debris flow damaged bridges, rail networks and roads, impacting overland travel in the affected areas.

The German authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 4 139.9 million.

Regional disaster: floods in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy

On 29 June 2024, Italy suffered violent storms resulting in the overflow of rivers and streams in the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta. The torrential flooding caused extensive damage to the infrastructure, disruption of services and isolation of communities in the autonomous region of Valle d’Aosta. 58% percent of the municipalities in Valle d'Aosta were affected by the flooding. The land area affected is about 66% of the total land area of the region. More than 52 000 inhabitants and 4 800 businesses were directly affected by the disaster.

The Italian authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 158.39 million.

In light of the considerations set out above and following the assessment of the submitted information, the Commission concludes that the disasters referred to in the applications submitted by Germany and Italy meet the conditions set out in the EUSF Regulation for mobilising the EUSF.

In the context of the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2024, the Commission proposes to mobilise the following amounts in commitment and payment appropriations under the EUSF:

- EUR 112 071 681 will be provided to Germany in relation to floods in May and June 2024.

- EUR 3 959 872 will be provided to Italy in relation to floods of 29 June 2024 in the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta.

This mobilisation is accompanied by DEC No 14/2024 that proposes to transfer the amount of EUR 116 031 553 from the European Solidarity Reserve (the ESR) reserve line to the EUSF operational budget line, both in commitments and payments appropriations.