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 1 057 018 077 to provide assistance to Spain following the floods in the Valencia Region in October 2024 and France following the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.

Spain - major natural disaster: floods in October 2024

Between 28 October and 4 November 2024, a storm bringing heavy rain struck the entire Valencia region of Spain which led to severe flooding. The disaster affected 2 600 houses and an area of over 500 square kilometres. Thousands of households were left without electricity, drinking water and phone service, as well as significant damage was done to public infrastructure and goods. Over 170 educational establishments and more than 50 health institutions were impacted. The floods caused at least 229 fatalities.

The Commission estimates the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 18.08 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Spain of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 3.96 billion in 2025. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

France - regional natural disaster: cyclones in Mayotte in December 2024

On 14 December 2024, the eye of a cyclone called Chido hit the island of Mayotte, France. The cyclone’s wind gusts exceeded 180 kilometre per hour across the territory. The cyclone also brought heavy rainfall to the island, with an estimated total of 100 to 150 mm of rain within 12 hours. The heavy rainfall and strong winds were combined with dangerously high wave heights of 5 to 9 metres. Subsequently, all dwellings were destroyed. The electricity grid and water network shut down completely and several means of crossing between the two islands of Mayotte were severely affected. Public transport and school transport services were forced to temporarily suspend or significantly reduce their operations. The cyclone caused at least 39 fatalities.

The French authorities submitted the application under the ‘regional natural disaster’ criterion 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) or 1% of regional GDP for the outermost regions. The Commission estimates the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 3.6 billion. This amount exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which is EUR 33.47 million for Mayotte in 2025.

France - regional natural disaster: cyclone in Réunion in February 2025

On 28 February 2025, a cyclone named Garance hit the island of Réunion, France. The cyclonic winds in some areas reached speed of 215 kilometre/hour and brought heavy rain and dangerous sea conditions. Subsequently, the road network was heavily impacted, and the economy was greatly disrupted. The agricultural sector, especially the cane sector, as well as companies relying on tourism suffered major damages due to the cyclone. To help the affected population, 123 accommodation centres were opened for people to seek shelter. The cyclone caused at least 4 fatalities.

The French authorities submitted the application under the ‘regional natural disaster’ criterion as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation. The French authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 849.45 million. This amount exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which is EUR 216.68 million for Réunion in 2025.

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 Commission therefore proposes to the budget authority to mobilise the following amounts for the applications submitted by Spain and France:

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 (ESR) with an annual amount of EUR 1 016 million (in 2018 prices, corresponding to EUR 1 167.1 million in 2025 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the EUSF.

In line with Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph, of the amended MFF Regulation, 25% of the annual EUSF allocation (i.e. EUR 291.8 million for 2025) must be made available on 1 October of each year.

Moreover, 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 2025 (in commitments and payments appropriations) for the payment of possible advances. In 2025, the Commission has already paid four advances for a total amount of EUR 139 754 683.

Finally, the mobilisation for Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina used an amount of EUR 270 077 316 from the ESR.

Therefore, the total available allocation (including 25% of the annual allocation that becomes available on 1 October but excluding the amount still to be used for possible advances until the end of the year) is EUR 928 376 487, which is sufficient to cover the payment needs of this communication. This leaves a remaining balance of EUR 23 172 314 to cover any new applications for advances and additional EUR 449 506 on the reserve line.

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 Spain and France. The rapporteur calls on the Commission that this financial contribution should be delivered with particular urgency.