EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/807

(2004/C 78 E/0856)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3373/03

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: September floods in Malta and town of Qormi

On 15 September and 18 September 2003, Malta experienced some of the worst floods in its history. Among the towns worst hit was the town of Qormi, in particular the residents living in district Q009.

This area is a sensitive danger area. The Maltese Government commissioned a ‘Storm Water Plan’ for this area in 1997. The first phase of this plan, under the direction of Architect Robert Musumeci, was completed by the end of 1998. The second phase of the plan was never undertaken, despite the fact that, in November 2001, the Qormi Town Council sent a letter to the Minister, reminding him that, if phase 2 were not completed, people in Qormi would be exposed to the danger of floods.

This risk of floods in the Qormi area was further confirmed in the Central Malta local plan, dated June 2002, map number 70, issued by the ‘Malta Environment and Planning Authority’ (ΜΕΡΑ).

Unfortunately the Government did not heed such warnings.

Since the Maltese Government is applying to the EU Commission for funds from the Solidarity Fund for the damage caused by the floods of 15 and 18 September, can the Commission ensure that the Qormi Town Council receives part of this ‘Solidarity Fund’ compensation so that it can be used for the welfare of the Qormi residents?

Is the Commission aware that the same situation prevails in other parts of Malta such as Birkirkara — Msida, Mosta-Burmarrad, Pwales, for which no plan is in place to address irregular but repeated instances of flash flooding which will, in future, make applications for Solidarity Fund resources a recurring exercise?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 2004)

On 10 November 2003 the Maltese authorities presented to the Commission an application to mobilise the Solidarity Fund to help finance emergency measures following the disaster caused by the heavy storm and flooding that hit Malta between 15 and 17 September 2003. The application is currently being examined by the Commission. The Commission has not taken a decision on a grant yet.

Following Article 3 (2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (1), grants may be used only for the following categories of emergency operations:

— Immediate restoration to working order of infrastructure and plant in the fields of energy, drinking water, wastewater, telecommunications, transport, health and education;

— Providing temporary accommodation and funding rescue services to meet the immediate needs of the population concerned;

— Immediate securing of preventive infrastructures and measures of immediate protection of the cultural heritage;

— Immediate cleaning-up of disaster-stricken areas, including natural zones.

Longer term disaster prevention measures are not eligible for Solidarity Fund assistance. This does not exclude possible funding or co-financing of preventive measures from other sources of Community-funding if the relevant selection criteria for those sources are fulfilled.

The implementation of a possible grant, in particular the selection of individual operations would lie with the authorities of Malta and the Commission cannot intervene.

Absence of storm water plans or similar alleged shortcomings have no effect on the eligibility for grants from the Solidarity Fund. However, in their final report on the implementation of the Solidarity Fund grant, beneficiary states are obliged to give details on the preventive measures introduced or proposed in order to limit damage and to avoid, to the extent possible, a recurrence of similar disasters.

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.