Amending budget 9/2009: mobilisation of the EU Solidary Fund for Italy

PURPOSE: to present preliminary draft amending budget 9/2009 to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to assist Italy following an earthquake.

CONTENT: Preliminary Draft Amending Budget (PDAB) No 9 for the year 2009 covers the Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR 493 771 159 in commitment and payment appropriations relating to the effects of an earthquake in Italy.

In April 2009 a strong earthquake affected the Italian region of Abruzzo claiming the lives of 300 people and causing extremely significant damage. Within the 10 week deadline set by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, the Italian authorities applied for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund relating to the earthquake. The Commission services carried out a thorough examination and accept the application submitted by Italy as a “major disaster”. It proposes therefore the mobilisation of the Solidarity Fund.

Financing: the total annual budget available for the Solidarity Fund is EUR 1 billion. In 2009, EUR 121.2 million has already been earmarked for earlier applications leaving EUR 878.8 million available.

As a consequence, the Commission is proposing to mobilise EUR 493 771 159 from the Solidarity Fund.