BRUSSELS (ChatnewsTV) — The Council of the European Union has approved the mobilization of €116 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to provide disaster relief assistance to Germany and Italy following severe natural disasters earlier this year.
The funds, allocated from the EU’s 2024 budget, will support Germany and Italy in their recovery efforts after floods caused widespread damage. Germany will receive €112.1 million to assist in the aftermath of floods that ravaged Southern Germany in May and June 2024. Italy will be granted €3.96 million in response to catastrophic flooding that affected the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta on June 29, 2024.
“The European Union stands united with Germany and Italy in the face of these devastating floods,” said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.
“This funding will support both countries as they rebuild and recover, showing EU solidarity in times of need.”
The next step will see the funds transferred from the European Solidarity Reserve into the operational budget of the EU Solidarity Fund, enabling the funds to be disbursed to the affected countries. The move comes after Germany and Italy officially requested financial aid to help manage the costs of the natural disasters.
The EU Solidarity Fund was established to provide financial aid to EU member states and candidate countries following major disasters. It is designed to help offset the immediate costs of recovery efforts, providing much-needed support in the aftermath of events such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.