Subject: EU solidarity is urgently needed for the Thessaly flood victims and to repair the damage caused
The unprecedented deadly weather event that hit the region of Thessaly is a national tragedy of biblical proportions. Although it is not yet possible to establish the full extent of the impact the unprecedented natural disaster had on the region of Thessaly, ravaging 25% of the domestic primary sector, the general consensus is that the cost will be huge once the flood water has gone and the damage has been quantified. Incalculable damage has been caused to cropland, crops have been lost and livestock farms have been completely destroyed, with all their livestock lost to drowning. In addition, producers will incur significant loss of income and there will be a substantial fall in GDP due to the economy shrinking as a result of hundreds of hectares of cropland being covered by mud and debris.
In view of this:
What measures does the Commission intend to take in support of those affected by the deadly floods, and what European financial instruments can be used to repair the damage caused by the flooding and to help the victims?
Submitted: 17.9.2023
Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission
(8 November 2023)
A task force was set up between Greece and the Commission to coordinate EU financial support following the recent floods in Thessaly. The Commission is working with the Greek authorities to swiftly mobilise unused 2014-20 cohesion policy funds to contribute to alleviating the consequences of natural disasters, in particular the floods in Thessaly. In addition, public funding of some EUR 727 million from the 2021-27 Cohesion funds has been earmarked specifically for flood risk prevention and management.
The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) (1) may also cover a part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. Private damage is not eligible. The EUSF can only be activated at the request of the affected Member State. Greece has a deadline of 12 weeks as from the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002.
The Commission adopted in July 2023 a package of emergency support measures funded through the 2023 agricultural reserve, from which Greece benefitted with EUR 15.7 million (2). The Commission is examining the possibility to use the agricultural reserve of 2024 to support Greek farmers affected by the recent natural disasters.
Furthermore, support is foreseen under the Greek Rural Development Programme 2014-22 (3) and the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-27 (4) for investments aiming at the restoration of agricultural and forestry potential following natural disasters, adverse climatic or catastrophic events and investments in appropriate preventive actions.
1 ∙ ⸱ Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by
Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/? uri=celex:32002R2012 2 ∙ ⸱
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1465 of 14 July 2023 providing for emergency financial support for the agricultural sectors affected by specific problems impacting on the economic viability of agricultural producers (OJ L 180, 17.7.2023, p. 21), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1465 3 ∙ ⸱ http://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/el/content/egkrisi-tropopoiiseis 4 ∙ ⸱
http://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/el/keimeno-synimmena-paa/egkrisi-tropopoiiseis