Parliament has approved a proposal to release €280 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to support countries affected by severe floods in 2024. On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Commission’s proposal, with 643 votes for, 13 against, and 35 abstentions.
The funds are intended to assist Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in addressing the aftermath of the September and October 2024 floods. The financial aid will be allocated as follows: Austria receives €42.8 million, Czechia gets €114 million, Poland is granted €76 million, Slovakia obtains €2.1 million, Bosnia and Herzegovina receives €45.7 million, and Moldova is allotted €195,200.
This aid will fund various recovery efforts such as repairing infrastructure, providing temporary accommodation, enhancing preventive infrastructure measures, safeguarding cultural heritage sites, and conducting clean-up operations.
MEPs expressed their solidarity with those affected by the floods and urged the Commission to consider expanding the EUSF budget in future proposals for the EU long-term budget. They emphasized that addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation should remain a priority to prevent future natural disasters.
Andrzej Halicki (EPP), Parliament’s rapporteur for this initiative stated: “Parliament takes another positive step in supporting citizens in need. Following today’s vote, extra funds will aid the victims of last year’s tragic floods in Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.”
The European Union Solidarity Fund has been instrumental since its inception in 2002. It has provided over €9.6 billion to respond to major crises across EU member states and candidate countries.
