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

The European Parliament adopted by 660 votes to 11, with 4 abstentions, a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods occurred in 2024.

Parliament approved the decision annexed to the resolution on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for an amount of EUR 112 071 681 to assist Germany in relation to floods in May and June 2024 and EUR 3 959 872 to Italy in relation to floods of 29 June 2024 in the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta, in the framework of the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2024.

Highlighting the increasing number of severe, destructive and deadly natural disasters in Europe, Parliament called on Member States and Commission to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation measures to avoid human and economic losses. Members considered that the budget of the EUSF or its equivalent should be significantly expanded in view of the upcoming Commission proposal on the new Multiannual Financial Framework and subsequent inter-institutional negotiations.

Members believe that islands and coastal regions should receive adequate funding within the framework of the EUSF to address their specific vulnerabilities. Member States are called on to take into consideration that vulnerable populations are particularly affected by natural disasters.

Given that the EUSF is only a curative instrument, the Union should continue to address climate change adaptation and mitigation by supporting European and national policies to prevent natural disasters. Members stressed the need for action to avoid that the climate risks identified reach critical levels. They called on Member States and the Commission to take the necessary measures to bring the Union to achieve the commitments made in the Paris agreement.

Parliament recalled the need for effective synergies with other Union policies and programmes and underlines that Member States should make best use of funding opportunities, in particular of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund + and the Rural development programmes.

Members also stressed:

- the need for preventive measures, not only to mitigate future damage but also to prevent the exacerbation of risk conditions following catastrophic events, such as floods, wildfires, landslides or the drying up of lakes and rivers;

- the importance of adequate flexibility between the different programmes;

- that assistance provided under the EUSF should not be to the detriment of Union funding received by Member States under other Union programmes or policies.

Parliament recalled the importance of rapid and solid damage assessment that takes due account of the economic repercussions and called for increased operational efforts to be made in order to reduce the average time for the release of advanced payments, while ensuring the Union budget is protected.