EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.Context of the proposal

This decision covers the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 (hereafter refered to as the 'Regulation') for an amount of EUR 4 552 517 to provide assistance to Greece further to the flooding and landslide disaster that took place in 2019. This mobilisation will be financed in full through the partial use of commitment and payment appropriations already entered into the 2019 budget for covering advances, after deducting the already paid advance of EUR 455 252. An amending budget is therefore not required.

2.Information and conditions

Between 23 and 26 February 2019 exceptionally heavy rain and storm hit Crete, in particular the western part of the island. The resulting floods and landslides caused the loss of human life and have had disastrous consequences for infrastructure and economic activities, in particular on roads and in agriculture.

(1)Greece applied for a contribution from the EUSF on 15 May 2018, within the deadline of 12 weeks after the first damage was recorded. The application was submitted as a ‘regional natural disaster' under Article 2(3) of the Regulation.

(2)The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of the EUSF.

(3)Greece estimates the total direct damage at EUR 182,1 million. The damage caused on Crete represents 2,1 % of the GDP of the concerned NUTS 2 level region Kriti and thus exceeds the threshold of EUR 129,8 million, i.e. 1,5% of regional GDP laid down in the Regulation.

(4)In its application Greece requested the payment of an advance as laid down in Article 4a of the Regulation. On 19 July 2019 the Commission adopted Implementing Decision C(2019) 5514 awarding a 10 % advance of EUR 455 252 on the anticipated financial contribution from the Fund and subsequently paid it out in full to Greece.

(5)In their application the Greek authorities describe in detail the situation following the severe wheather events and the efforts made to assist the affected population. The cyclone, which hit Crete from February 23 killed one person who drowned in a stream and caused serious damage mainly in the Chania and Rethymnon districts where the largest cumulative rain was recorded. Most damage was caused to the municipal and provincial road network including the Northern Motorway of Crete, in rural production to crops and livestock, but also in private homes. Seven bridges were damaged, one of which collapsed completely. Dozens of landslides and fallen trees blocked roads and cut of entire areas. Erosion caused problems on embankments and the destruction of drainage systems. Damage was also caused to the electricity network.

(6)Greece estimated the cost of emergency and recovery operations eligible under Article 3(2) of the Regulation at EUR 173,9 million and presented it broken down by type of operation. The largest share (over EUR 145 million) concerns the costs to restore the transport infrastructure (roads and bridges), followed by the cost of cleaning up operations of EUR 20 million.

(7)The Greek authorities confirmed that there is no insurance coverage of eligible costs.

(8)The affected region is part of the 'transition regions' under the European Structural and Investment Funds (2014-2020). In their application the Greek authorities did not signal to the Commission the intention to reallocate funding from the ESI Funds programmes towards recovery measures.

(9)Greece did not activate the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

(10)As regards the implementation of Union legislation on disaster risk prevention and management, there is currently no infringement procedure on-going.

(11)In the context of the implementation of Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks, the following actions were completed: The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report (March 2012), Identification of the High Risk Flood Potential Areas in the country's 14 Water Districts and an update of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report (November 2012). The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for the Evros river basin was updated (November 2014). Flood and Risk Hazards for the 14 Water Chambers of the Country (March 2017) were completed. The Flood Risk Management Plans of all Water Bodies of the country, including the River Basin Hazards Flood Risk Management Plan for Crete.

2.5Conclusion

For the reasons set out above, the disaster referred to in the application submitted by Greece meets the conditions set out in the Regulation for mobilising the EUSF.

3.Financing from the EUSF allocations 2019