Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Spain and France in relation to natural disasters in 2024 and 2025
PURPOSE: to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Spain following the floods in the Spanish region of Valencia in October 2024 and France following the damage caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and by Cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.
PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.
CONTENT: the proposed decision concerns the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for an amount of EUR 1 057 018 077 to assist Spain, following the floods that affected the Valencia region in October 2024, and France, following the damage caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and by Cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.
The EU Solidarity Fund aims to enable the Union to respond quickly, effectively and flexibly to emergency situations to express its solidarity with the population of regions affected by major or regional natural disasters or a major public health emergency.
Spain - major natural disaster: October 2024 floods
In January 2025, Spain requested financial assistance from the EUSF to deal with the floods that occurred in the Valencia region in October 2024. The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the scope of intervention of the EUSF.
The Spanish authorities estimate the total amount of direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 20.28 billion. The Commission has accepted a plausible total of EUR 18.08 billion for direct damage. This amount exceeds the threshold for a ‘major natural disaster’ set for Spain, namely 0.6% of its gross national income, which was EUR 3.96 billion in 2025. An advance payment of EUR 100 million was made to Spain in April 2025.
The floods, caused by a storm between 28 October and 4 November 2024, affected 2 600 homes, 500 km² of territory, caused 232 deaths, and severely damaged public infrastructure, particularly in the energy, health and education sectors.
Spain has estimated the cost of eligible actions at EUR 4.39 billion, including EUR 3.51 billion for infrastructure restoration, EUR 561 million for cleaning up disaster areas and EUR 326 million for temporary accommodation and rescue services.
France - regional natural disaster: cyclone in Mayotte in December 2024
In March 2025, France submitted an application for a financial contribution from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery actions following the damage caused by Cyclone Chido on the island of Mayotte in December 2024. The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the scope of intervention of the EUSF.
The French authorities estimate the total amount of direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 3.8 billion. The Commission accepted a plausible total of EUR 3.6 billion for direct damage. This amount exceeds the indicated applicable intervention threshold for a ‘regional disaster’, which is EUR 33.47 million for Mayotte in 2025. An advance payment of EUR 23 782 012 was made to France on 4 June 2025.
On 14 December 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, bringing winds of over 180 km/h, torrential rain (up to 150 mm in 12 hours), and waves of 5 to 9 metres. The disaster destroyed all homes, paralysed electricity and water supplies, and damaged maritime crossings between the islands. Public and school transportation was suspended, and the death toll reached at least 39.
France estimated the cost of eligible actions at EUR 1 256.8 million, including EUR 883.1 million for the restoration of infrastructure and equipment, EUR 323.5 million for emergency services and EUR 50.2 million for the cleaning up of disaster areas.
France - regional natural disaster: cyclone in Réunion in February 2025
In May 2025, France submitted an application for a financial contribution from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery actions following the damage caused by Cyclone Garance on Réunion Island in February 2025. The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the scope of intervention of the EUSF.
French authorities estimate the total amount of direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 849.45 million. This amount exceeds the applicable intervention threshold indicated for a ‘regional disaster’, which is EUR 216.68 million for Réunion in 2025. An advance payment of EUR 5 309 084 was made to France on 26 August 2025.
On 28 February 2025, Cyclone Garance struck Réunion Island, bringing winds of up to 215 km/h, heavy rain, and dangerous sea conditions. It caused severe damage to roads, disrupted the economy, and harmed the agricultural (particularly sugarcane) and tourism sectors. 123 shelters were opened to accommodate those affected. The cyclone caused at least five deaths.
France estimated the cost of eligible actions at EUR 125.38 million, including EUR 84.97 million for the restoration of infrastructure and equipment, EUR 21.98 million for the cleaning up of disaster areas, EUR 11.55 million for securing prevention infrastructure and EUR 6.88 million for temporary accommodation and emergency services.
Conclusion
In light of these considerations and following the assessment of the submitted information, the Commission considers that the disasters mentioned in the applications submitted by Spain and France meet the conditions set out in the EUFS Regulation for intervention by the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUFS).
Within the framework of the Union's general budget for the financial year 2025, the Commission proposes to mobilise the following amounts in commitment and payment appropriations under the EUSF:
- an amount of EUR 946 153 691 to Spain in relation to the floods that occurred in October 2024;
- an amount of EUR 89 628 050 to France following the damage caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024;
- an amount of EUR 21 236 336 to France following the damage caused by cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.