Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Romania regarding the floods at the end of May 2025, Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025 and Spain following the wildfires in August 2025

The European Parliament adopted by 642 votes to 13, with 1 abstention, the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Romania regarding the floods at the end of May 2025, Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025 and Spain following the wildfires in August 2025.

Parliament approved the decision annexed to the resolution to mobilise an amount of EUR 1 44 099 756 to assist Romania following the floods at the end of May 2025, Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025 and Spain following the wildfires in August 2025.

The European Union Solidarity Fund aims to enable the Union to respond rapidly, efficiently and flexibly to emergency situations to express its solidarity with the population of regions affected by major natural or regional disasters or a major public health emergency.

In its resolution, Parliament stressed the urgent need to release immediate financial assistance through the EUSF to ensure that support can reach the affected regions in a timely manner.

Highlighting the increasing number of severe and destructive natural disasters in Europe, Parliament also called on Member States and the Commission to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation measures to avoid human and economic losses.

The European Union Solidarity Fund will be mobilised as follows in commitment and payment appropriations in relation to natural disasters:

(a) EUR 14 339 675 to Romania following the floods at the end of May and the beginning of June 2025;

(b) EUR 9 209 223 to Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025;

(c) EUR 120 550 858 to Spain following the wildfires in August 2025.

Stressing that the EUSF is only a curative instrument and that the EU should also continue to address climate change adaptation and mitigation by supporting European and national policies to prevent natural disasters, Parliament called on Member States and the Commission to continue efforts to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness and contribute to the implementation of commitments under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring effective disaster prevention, risk management and civil protection capacities across the Union. It stressed the need for preventive measures, not only to mitigate future damage but also to prevent the exacerbation of risk conditions following catastrophic events, such as floods, wildfires, landslides or the drying up of lakes and rivers.

Lastly, Member called for adequate flexibility between the different funding programmes and for this to be accompanied by strict budgetary control.