Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Greece

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Greece further to the flooding and landslide disaster that took place in 2019.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision (EU) 2020/28 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Greece.

CONTENT: the European Parliament has decided to mobilise EUR 4 552 517 in commitment and payment appropriations for Greece from the European Union Solidarity Fund under the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2019.

The Decision follows Greece’s application for assistance from the Fund submitted on 15 May 2019 following exceptionally heavy rain and storm which hit Crete and led to floods and landslides. Greece’s application fulfils the conditions for a financial contribution from the Fund.

The European Union Solidarity Fund aims to enable the 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).

The amount referred to in the first paragraph shall be financed from the appropriations mobilised for the payment of advances in the Union budget for the financial year 2019. The appropriations available for the payment of advances shall be reduced accordingly.