Support for Member States after extreme weather events (including rebuilding road and bridge infrastructure)

Subject: Support for Member States after extreme weather events (including rebuilding road and bridge infrastructure)

In response to the recent extreme weather events, including the floods that impacted many EU countries, particularly Poland, I would like to know what measures the Commission will take to help Member States rebuild their road and bridge infrastructure.

The flooding caused severe damage in many regions, which is substantially impacting the safety and mobility of people living there and the functioning of the local economy. Rebuilding the damaged infrastructure will require action to be taken swiftly and promptly as well as substantial financial investment.

In view of the above, could the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What financial support instruments will the Commission mobilise to help countries hit by the calamity (including Poland) rebuild their road and bridge infrastructure?

2. Does the Commission envisage additional funds or the possibility of more flexibility in using existing mechanisms, such as the EU Solidarity Fund, to quickly repair the damage and rebuild?

3. In view of the increasing threat, will action be taken to effectively prepare and safeguard transportation infrastructure from the effects of natural disasters?

Submitted: 11.10.2024

Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission

(8 November 2024)

1. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) (1) can only be activated at the request of an affected country, which has a deadline of 12 weeks as from when the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. The Fund may cover a part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities (2). Private damage is not eligible. In line with the announcement by the President of the Commission, the Commission adopted proposals on 21 October 2024 under Cohesion Policy (CP) funds and under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to provide liquidity and easing budgetary pressure in response to the recent natural disasters in concerned Member States (3).

2. The recent mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (4) increased the annual allocation to EUR 216 million for the EUSF for 2024-2027. The Fund now has an annual budget of EUR 1 016 million (5) (2018 prices). A review of the scope of the Fund is not currently planned under the 2021-2027 MFF.

3. Under the 2021-2027 CP programmes for Poland around EUR 2 billion are planned for climate change adaptation and disaster prevention. Poland and the Commission are working on directing more resources to the identified needs. Where technically possible, the financed road infrastructure will ensure rainwater retention and treatment using green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. According to Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (6), when selecting operations to be financed under CP, climate proofing of infrastructure investments is verified (7). Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 introduces new climate proofing and maintenance requirements for new infrastructure projects based on the available best practice.

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 ∙ ⸱

This means, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of the cultural heritage. 3 ∙ ⸱

RESTORE — Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1057; COM (2024) 496 final. 4 ∙ ⸱ Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765 of 29 February 2024 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027. 5 ∙ ⸱

EUR 1 144.1 million in 2024 prices. 6 ∙ ⸱

Article 73(2)(j) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159-706. 7 ∙ ⸱ The expected lifespan of these investment is at least five years.