EU Proposes €101.5 Million Aid Package for Greece to Address 2023 Floods

The European Commission has proposed a €101.5 million aid package for Greece to help the country recover from the devastating floods caused by Storm Daniel in September.

The floods, which primarily impacted the Thessaly region, are part of a broader support initiative from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) that totals over €1 billion in aid for several European countries affected by severe flooding in 2023.

Greece had already received an advance payment of €25.3 million from the EUSF in January, aimed at addressing immediate recovery needs. The newly proposed aid will provide further financial assistance to help rebuild and recover from the significant damage caused by the floods.

The European Commission detailed the allocation of the broader aid package, which includes: – €378.8 million for Italy to address flood damages in the Emilia-Romagna region from May 2023, along with an additional €67.8 million for floods in Tuscany in October and November 2023. – €428.4 million for Slovenia. – €5.2 million for Austria for floods in August 2023. – €46.7 million for France to address flood damages in the Hauts-de-France region in November 2023.

Elisa Ferreira, the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, emphasised the importance of the EUSF in supporting Member States after major natural disasters. “The EU Solidarity Fund is a dedicated instrument to support Member States to recover after devastating natural disasters of major proportions, to stand in solidarity with those impacted,” Ferreira said. She noted that the aid not only provides immediate relief but also assists in rebuilding efforts in the context of climate change challenges.

The proposed funding will be disbursed to the affected countries once it receives approval from the European Parliament and the Council, ensuring a prompt and full allocation of the resources.

Since its inception in 2002, the EUSF has mobilised over €8.6 billion to address 130 disasters, including 110 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies, across 24 Member States and four candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Türkiye).

(Source: GTP)–Komalenko Charlie