Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

The Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (EUSF regulation) for an amount of EUR 1 028 541 689 to provide assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France in relation to the natural disasters (floods) that took place in these countries in 2023.

Italy – major disaster: flood in the Emilia-Romagna region

Between 1 and 17 May 2023, the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy was impacted by heavy rain and the resulting flooding. The event affected seven provinces in the central-eastern sector of the Region, with extremely intense rainfall and large cumulated depths recorded especially in the hilly and mountainous areas. The total cumulative rainfall recorded during the entire event ranged between 200 and 500 mm. The consequences of the subsequent floods were severe. On top of the extensive economic losses due to the destruction of infrastructures and damages to both public and private assets, 14 people lost their lives. More than 1500 landslides were triggered by the extreme meteorological condition, causing extensive damage to roads and buildings, network infrastructure and watercourses.

The Italian authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 8.5 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Italy set at EUR 3.8 billion in 2023. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Slovenia - major disaster: flood

Between 3 and 6 August 2023, a strong low-pressure system caused extensive rainfall. Heavy rainfall and torrential downpours triggered large-scale flooding, landslides, and mudslides. Most precipitation was measured in the northern half of Slovenia with up to 150-200 mm of rain. The flood event was exceptional in that it involved the three largest Slovenian rivers. The high waters destroyed roads, bridges, water supply infrastructure, sewerage, electricity, numerous houses and urban areas and agricultural land.

According to the Commission, the total direct damage caused by the disaster was EUR 7.3 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Slovenia of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 308.8 million in 2023. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Austria - neighbouring country disaster: flood

Between 3 and 6 August 2023, heavy rain caused numerous damages to public and private infrastructures in southern Austria, especially in Lower Carinthia and Styria. The rain flooded buildings, cellars, garages, forests, fields and triggered over 900 mudflows and landslides. More than 120 communities were impacted by the storm damages, including isolated power outages due to high groundwater. Additional damages were reported in neighbouring federal states such as Salzburg and Burgenland.

The Austrian authorities submitted the application under the “neighbouring country” disaster criterion as laid down in Article 2(4) of the EUSF Regulation, which stipulates that assistance from the EUSF may also be mobilised for any natural disaster in an eligible State that is also a major natural disaster in a neighbouring eligible State. Austria estimates the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 208.0 million. As the same natural disaster qualifies as a “major natural disaster” in Slovenia, a neighbouring eligible State, the application from Austria is eligible for a contribution from the EUSF pursuant to Article 2(4) of the EUSF Regulation.

Greece - major disaster: cyclone

Between 4 and 11 September 2023, an intense and extensive meteorological-hydrological event characterized by high and persistent rainfall occurred, which resulted in catastrophic flooding in multiple locations in central Greece, particularly in the Thessaly region. The total cumulative rainfall recorded during the entire event ranged between 400 and 1000 mm in the affected regions. During the event, most of the region received an amount of precipitation comparable to the average annual total rainfall. The torrential rain generated major flooding in central Greece, causing extensive regions to be inundated. The flooding wreaked massive destruction on infrastructure, turning streets into rivers, tearing down buildings and bridges, and leaving whole villages submerged. On top of the extensive economic losses due to the destruction of infrastructures and damages to both public and private assets stepping from the agricultural and livestock industries as well as SMEs, 17 people lost their lives.

The Greek authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 2.3 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Greece of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 1.1 billion in 2023. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Italy - regional disaster: floods in Tuscany Region

Between 25 October and 10 November 2023, the Tuscany region of Italy was impacted by an extreme amount of rainfall within a relatively short amount of time, particularly in the provinces of Prato, Florence, Pisa, Pistoia, and Livorno. The rain and the accompanying strong wind triggered flash floods and landslides. The consequences of the subsequent floods were severe. The event caused substantial economic damage, killed seven people and forced thousands to leave their homes.

The application presented the event as a “regional natural disaster” as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation, which is any natural disaster in a region at NUTS level 2 of an eligible State resulting in direct damage exceeding 1.5% of that region's gross domestic product (GDP). The Italian authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 2.7 billion. This amount represents approximately 2.4% of the Tuscany region’s GDP and exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which for the Tuscany region is EUR 1.7 billion in 2024.

France - regional disaster: flood

Between 2 and 9 November 2023, the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais region within the Hauts-de-France region of France was hit by significant rainfall, reaching 271 mm in some areas. These circumstances led to a rapid increase in river levels within a short period of time and the overflow of major rivers. The consequences of the event were severe, leading to numerous mudslides and subsequent road closures. The disaster caused considerable economic damage, and forced thousands to leave their homes.

The application presented the event as a “regional natural disaster” as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation, which is any natural disaster in a region at NUTS level 2 of an eligible State resulting in direct damage exceeding 1.5% of that region's gross domestic product (GDP). The French authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 1.9 billion. This amount represents approximately 1.64% of the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais region’s GDP and exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which for the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais region is EUR 1.8 billion in 2024.

Conclusion

The methodology for calculating the aid was set out in the 2002-2003 Annual Report on the EUSF and accepted by the Council and the European Parliament. The Commision therefore proposes to the budget authority to mobilise the following amounts for all six applications:

Council Regulation 2024/765 of 29 February 2024 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 split the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) in two separate instruments: the European Solidarity Reserve and the Emergency Aid Reserve. The European Solidarity Reserve with an annual amount of EUR 1 016 million (in 2018 prices, corresponding to EUR 1 144.2 million in 2024 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the EUSF.

In order to avoid an early depletion of the annual allocation, Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph, of the amended MFF Regulation stipulate that 25% of the annual EUSF allocation (i.e. EUR 286 million for 2024) shall remain available on 1 October of each year.

Finally, according to the Article 4a(4) of the EUSF Regulation, the amount of EUR 50 000 000 has been already inscribed in the EU general budget 2024 (in commitments and payments appropriations) for the payment of possible advances.

Therefore, the maximum amount that can be used by the EUSF from the 2024 European Solidarity Reserve allocation at this stage is EUR 808 135 764 which allows covering the payment needs of this mobilisation.

The Rapporteur recommends the swift approval of the Commission proposal for a decision annexed to this report, leading to the rapid mobilisation of the aforementioned amounts, as a sign of European solidarity with Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France. The rapporteur calls on the Commission that this financial contribution should be delivered with particular urgency.