WRITTEN QUESTION P-3245/02 by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission. Natural disaster (earthquake) in Molise.
Date: 2002-11-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Molise, development aid, economic development, less-favoured region, natural disaster

C 110 E/192

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

conducted at the expense of basic Human Rights. In addition, the Union urged the Russian side to
promote without delay a political solution that provides a framework for lasting peace, stability and
reconstruction in Chechnya.

The Union will continue to monitor developments on the ground in Chechnya. Furthermore, the Union
will continue to raise its concerns on this issue as appropriate in its bilateral political dialogue with the
Russian Federation. In parallel, the Union will continue to participate actively in discussions and initiatives
on Chechnya within the framework of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe. In parallel, the Commission has so far allocated almost EUR 90 million since 1999
for humanitarian aid to refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in the North Caucasus and has
continually pressed the Russian authorities to put in place the necessary conditions for this aid to be
provided to all who need it safely and effectively.

(2003/C 110 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3245/02

by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 November 2002)

Subject: Natural disaster (earthquake) in Molise

On 31 October 2002, the Molise region was struck by a violent earthquake measuring eight on the
Mercalli scale, the epicentre of which was in the area north-east of Campobasso, and more precisely in the
municipalities of Larino, Bonefro, Casacaldenda and San Giuliano di Puglia.

In dozens of
Twenty-nine people died as a result of
municipalities there was serious damage to homes, other buildings and public facilities, meaning that
around 8,500 people had to be evacuated.

the earthquake, and hundreds were injured.

In the days following the earthquake, there were further tremors which prolonged the state of emergency
in the villages worst hit, and the emergency services rushed to put up tent villages to house the families
who had suddenly found themselves homeless.

In view of the strong seismic activity in the area and the approach of winter, which is particularly harsh in
the mountain villages of Molise, where the temperature is already falling, will the Commission take
concrete action of the kind guaranteed to help economic and productive activity in the region?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2002)

The Honourable Member is informed that Molise is classed as an Objective I (transitional support) region
for the period 2000-2006.

It is therefore covered by an Operational Programme to encourage sustainable economic development,
total budget EUR 605 000 000, with the Community contributing EUR 115 000 000.

Under the decentralised management principle Italy,
in partnership with the Commission, chose the
projects to be implemented in pursuit of the programme targets. If the latter need to be modified following
the disaster the Commission is ready to examine, in partnership with the national and regional authorities,
all proposals for their achievement.