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European Parliament
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Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Romania, Italy and Austria

2019/2023(BUD)

The European Parliament adopted by 645 votes to 18, with 30 abstentions, a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Romania, Italy and Austria.

The aim of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) is to enable the European Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters. The maximum annual amount allocated to the Fund may not exceed EUR 500 million (at 2011 prices).

Parliament approved the decision to mobilise the following amounts under the EUSF in commitment and payment appropriations under the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2019:

(a) EUR 8 192 300 to support Romania;

(b) EUR 277 204 595 to support Italy;

(c) EUR 8 154 899 to support Austria.

The requests submitted by Romania (2018), Italy (2018) and Austria (2019) following extreme weather conditions qualify for a financial contribution from the Fund.

Members welcomed the decision as a sign of the Union’s solidarity with the Union citizens and regions hit by the natural disasters. They stressed the urgent need to release the Fund's financial assistance for regions affected by natural disasters in the Union in 2018.

Parliament welcomed the Commission's proposal to amend the Union Civil Protection Mechanism as a key tool for strengthening the Union's disaster risk management capacities, with a financial envelope for the 2021-2027 financing period that matches the level of ambition set out in Decision (EU) 2019/420 of the European Parliament and of the Council and in accordance with the European Parliament's resolution of 14 November 2018 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.

Members are convinced that the Fund and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism should go hand in hand to prevent, prepare for and respond to natural disasters in the Member States.