On the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change

B100062/2024

European Parliament resolution on the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change

(2024/2817(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union,

–having regard to Articles 191 and 196(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund,

–having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2011 on the future of the European Union Solidarity Fund (COM(2011)0613),

–having regard to its resolutions of 15 January 2013 on the European Solidarity Fund, implementation and application, and of 18 May 2021 on the review of the European Union Solidarity Fund,

–having regard to its resolutions of 5 September 2002 on floods in Europe, of 8 September 2005 on natural disasters (fires and floods) in Europe this summer, of 18 May 2006 on natural disasters (forest fires, droughts and floods) – agricultural aspects, regional development aspects and environmental aspects, of 7 September 2006 on forest fires and floods, of 17 June 2010 on the floods in central European countries, in particular Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, and in France, and of 1 July 2013 on the floods in Europe,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas a severe natural disaster, characterised by widespread flooding, has recently affected many European countries, including Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia;

B.whereas there has been an increase in the frequency, severity, complexity and impact of natural disasters across Europe in recent years;

C.whereas the floods have inflicted severe damage upon cities, towns and municipalities, as well as on infrastructure, businesses, agriculture and rural areas; whereas they have resulted in the destruction of elements of natural and cultural heritage, caused loss of life and injury, and displaced thousands of individuals from their homes;

D.whereas the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was established to address major natural disasters and to provide financial assistance to Member States affected by such disasters;

E.whereas it is imperative to undertake the reconstruction of areas affected by the disasters to address and remediate their economic, social, and environmental losses;

F.whereas there is a need to enhance the capacity of the European Union and its Member States to prevent all types of natural disasters, and whereas improvements are required in the operability and coordination of various instruments to ensure effective disaster prevention;

1.Expresses its sympathy and solidarity with the inhabitants of the Member States, regions and municipalities affected by the disaster; acknowledges the severe economic repercussions of the disaster and extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims;

2.Acknowledges and appreciates the tireless efforts of the safety and civil protection units, rescue teams and volunteers in their endeavours to save lives and mitigate damage in the affected areas;

3.Commends the efforts of the Member States that extended support to the affected regions, as these actions embody the spirit of European solidarity through mutual assistance in times of adversity;

4.Emphasises that effective flood prevention must also focus on interregional and cross-border risk management strategies, which offer significant potential for coordination and the implementation of a strengthened joint emergency response, as well as on further investments in preventive measures, using various financial instruments;

5.Recognises that the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism facilitated cooperation among Member States, contributing to the mitigation of the emergency’s impact; urges the Commission and the Member States to streamline the procedures for the swift activation of the Mechanism;

6.Urges the Council and the Commission to take all necessary measures to ensure the prompt and adequate disbursement of financial assistance from the EUSF, without the imposition of any bureaucratic or other conditions; underscores the urgent need to release this financial assistance to the Member States affected by natural disasters, in order to support their disaster management efforts, particularly regarding flood prevention, wildfire control and other related protective measures;

7.Calls on the Commission to enable swift down-payments as soon as the affected Member State has applied for assistance;

8.Welcomes the fact that Hungary, the holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, has activated the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response mechanism, and emphasises that this step provides an opportunity for the Member States particularly affected in the region to coordinate their defence tasks, also helping to identify ways in which the EU can most effectively support them in this critical situation;

9.Emphasises that investment in flood prevention within the scope of relevant programmes demands sufficient financial resources without any unnecessary conditions, as it is vital for empowering the Member States to design effective flood prevention activities;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, and regional and local authorities in the affected areas.