Increased EU support for regions affected by natural disasters

25 May 2017 01:21 PM

On 24 May 2017, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal offering regions hit by natural disasters a significant increase in EU support. 

Once adopted by the Council and the Parliament the agreed new rules will provide for the EU to meet up to 95% of the reconstruction costs of regions affected by earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters. This signifies that the EU's financial contribution for some regions will almost double from the current level of 50%. Total EU support for disaster stricken regions could reach €9.8 billion for the period 2014-2020. This is in addition to the €500 million from the solidarity fund which the EU is able to mobilise each year to help member states cope with natural disasters. 

"No region in the EU is safe from natural disaster. Yesterday's agreement to increase EU support is an expression of our solidarity. It recognises that we are all vulnerable and have a shared interest in supporting each other in coping with natural disasters", said the Maltese parliamentary secretary for EU Funds and President of the Council, Dr. Ian Borg. 

The increase in the EU financing rate will apply to payments from the European fund for regional development (ERDF). The total volume of the EU financed part of the ERDF of around €196.4 billion for the period 2014-2020 will remain unchanged. 

Next steps 

After yesterday's approval by the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee, the draft regulation has still to be adopted by the Parliament and the Council to enter into force.

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