WRITTEN QUESTION E-3434/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(2 December 2002)

Subject: Financial assistance for earthquake victims in the Molise region

On 31 October 2002, a violent earth tremor wreaked havoc in the area around Campobasso in the Molise region of Italy, causing 27 deaths, hundreds of casualties and enormous damage to infrastructures, buildings and the cultural heritage.

This tragic situation has been compounded by the fact that as a result over 11 000 homeless people are precariously crowded into tents in low temperatures, exposed to the elements and the risk of disease. There have also been cases of profiteering, vandalism, theft and damage to abandoned buildings including churches and edifices forming part of the cultural heritage.

It is therefore necessary to restore the area affected as rapidly as possible, carrying out clearance operations and cleaning the damaged areas, restoring promptly electrical, water, sewerage, transport and health infrastructures so as to accelerate economic recovery.

For this purpose it is essential to provide immediate funding to the areas affected to enable them to return to normal as soon as possible. Despite major efforts by the Italian Government and Molise regional authorities and their efforts to obtain compensation from the insurers responsible (INAIL), available funding is still inadequate.

In view of Regulation (EC) 2012/2002 recently approved by the Council(1) setting up a Solidarity Fund for the victims of natural disasters, can the Commission provide the following information:

1. Can the disaster which occurred in the Molise region be recognised within the meaning of Articles 2 and 3 of the above Regulation?

2. Does Italy currently fulfil the requirements for assistance under the Solidarity Fund?

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

Joint answerto Written Questions E-3258/02 and E-3434/02given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 2003)

The Commission sympathises with the victims of the earthquake of Molise.

In response to the recent flooding last summer 2002 that devastated many parts of Central Europe, the Commission immediately proposed the creation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), a new financial instrument with resources up to EUR 1 billion per annum. The focus is on giving immediate assistance to people, regions and countries affected by major disasters to help them return to normal living conditions as quickly as possible. Inclose co-operation with the Parliament and the Council the new instrument was put in place in record time and came into effect on 15 November 2002(1).

A major disaster within the meaning of the Regulation means any disaster resulting, in a Member State or a country involved in accession negotiations, in damage estimated at over EUR 3 billion, or more than 0,6 % of its Gross National Income (GNI). In the case of Italy the EUR 3 billion threshold would apply.

Under exceptional circumstances a region can also benefit from assistance from the Fund, where that region has been affected by an extraordinary disaster affecting the major part of its population with serious and lasting repercussions on living conditions and the economic stability of the region.

The mobilisation of the EUSF requires the submission of an application to the Commission by the national authorities within ten weeks of the date when the first damage occurred. For disasters occurring between 1 August and 15 November, the date of entry into force of the EUSF regulation, applications must be received within two months of the latter date.

The Italian authorities recently sent the Commission a request to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund, which is currently being considered. If the Commission considers that this request satisfies the conditions of the Regulation establishing this Fund, it will propose to the budgetary authority a supplementary and amending budget to mobilise the amount of aid considered appropriate as soon as possible.

Furthermore, as part of the Objective 1 programme for the Region of Molise, the Commission will look constructively at any proposals to amend the regional operational programme so that the available resources can be concentrated on the most relevant measures and the most serious problems affecting the earthquake victims living in the area can receive a targeted and effective response. Extra resources could also become available under the performance reserve, which will be allocated to the programme from 2004 provided the mid-term review is positive.

The Region of Molise may also use measure 4.15 of the regional operational programme for 2000-2006 under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds, part-financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guidance Section. That measure provides for the restoration of agricultural production potential damaged by natural catastrophes and the establishment of appropriate preventive instruments. An amount of some EUR 600 000 (0,3 % of the EAGGF contribution) is currently earmarked for implementation of this measure.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002).