WRITTEN QUESTION E-3258/02 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN)and Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Earthquake in Molise — European Union action.
Date: 2002-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU financial instrument, EU financing arrangements, Italy, aid to disaster victims, disaster area, earthquake, economic consequence

C 161 E/78

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

(2003/C 161 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3258/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN)
and Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Earthquake in Molise (cid:1) European Union action

The Commission recently proposed to the budgetary authority that a one-billion-euro per year solidarity
fund be established to provide assistance to inhabitants of the European Union who are the victims of
major disasters. Parliament issued a favourable opinion on this matter, which has been the subject of the
conciliation procedure between the two arms of the budgetary authority.

The second subparagraph of Article 2(2) of
for a Council Regulation (1) provides for
mobilisation of the fund in any region struck by an exceptionally serious disaster affecting a substantial
part of their population.

the proposal

The earthquake that recently struck the Molise region in Italy not only killed 30 people in dramatic fashion
but also forced over 6 000 people to abandon their homes, many of which are no longer habitable, and
affected over 30 municipalities.

Initial estimates of the damage put the current cost of the reconstruction work needed at around
EUR 300 million.

In the light of the above, will the Commission include Molise among the areas eligible to receive
extraordinary aid from the prospective solidarity fund for natural disasters?

(1) COM(2002) 514.

(2003/C 161 E/083)

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.