Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria
Date: 2020-04-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Budget, European Commission
Subjects: Austria, European Union Solidarity Fund, Italy, Portugal, Spain, aid to disaster victims, emergency aid, financial aid, general budget (EU), natural disaster

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 30.4.2020  COM(2020) 200 final  Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

This  decision  covers  the  mobilisation  of  the  European  Union  Solidarity  Fund  (EUSF)  in 
accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (‘the Regulation’) for an amount of 
EUR 278 993 814  to  provide  assistance  to  Portugal,  Spain,  Italy  and  Austria  further  to 
disasters  that  took  place  in  these  countries  in  the  course  of  2019.  This  mobilisation  is 
accompanied  by  Draft  Amending  Budget  (DAB)  No 4/20201  that  proposes  to  enter  the 
necessary appropriations in the general budget 2020, both in commitments and payments. 

2.1 

Portugal - Hurricane Lorenzo in the Azores in October 2019 

Hurricane  Lorenzo  was  an  Atlantic  tropical  cyclone,  the  easternmost  and  closest  to  Europe 
ever registered. During late September, it developed from a tropical wave into a Category 5 
hurricane. Travelling north-east Hurricane Lorenzo passed through the Azores on 2 October 
2019, causing severe damage to public and private infrastructures and impacted on the daily 
lives of people, businesses and institutions. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

Portugal  applied  for  EUSF  financial  assistance  on  8 November 2019,  within  the 
deadline  of  12  weeks  after  the  first  damage  was  recorded  on  2 October 2019.  The 
application relates to a single NUTS level 2 region (Região Autónoma dos Açores) 
and was submitted as a 'regional disaster' under Article 2(3) of the Regulation. 

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

The Portuguese authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at 
EUR 328,5 million.  The  application  was  presented  on  the  basis  of  the  criteria  for 
'regional  disasters'  as  laid  down  in  Article  2(3)  of  the  Regulation  which  defines  a 
'regional disaster' as any natural disaster resulting in a region at NUTS level 2 of an 
eligible  State  in  direct  damage  in  excess  of  1,5%  of  that  region's  GDP.  For  the 
outermost regions – which include the Azores – the threshold is 1% of regional GDP. 
The reported direct damage represents 8,4% of the region’s GDP (EUR 3 927 million 
based on 2016 data) and thus  exceeds the 1% threshold. The application submitted 
by Portugal is therefore eligible for a contribution from the EUSF. 

Total  direct  damage  is  the  basis  for  the  calculation  of  the  amount  of  the  financial 
contribution from the Fund. The financial contribution may only be used for essential 
emergency and recovery operations as defined in Article 3 of the Regulation. 

In  its  application,  Portugal  requested  the  payment  of  an  advance  as  laid  down  in 
Article  4a  of  the  Regulation.  On  11 December 2019  the  Commission  adopted 
Implementing  Decision  C(2019)9067  awarding  a  10 %  advance  amounting  to 
EUR 821 270  on  the  anticipated  financial  contribution  from  the  Fund  and 
subsequently paid it out in full to Portugal. 

In their application the Portuguese authorities describe the nature and impact of the 
disaster. As of 26 September, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service 
prepared for the passage of the hurricane. The main damage was then caused in areas 
particularly exposed to wind and waves, most importantly the harbours. Also, water, 
energy  and  communication  networks  were  disrupted.  Roads,  airports,  schools  and 

1 

COM(2020) 190, 30.4.2020. 

EN 

1 

  EN 

                                                 
(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

hospitals  were  damaged  as  well  as  other  public  assets.  As  a  consequence,  private 
people, businesses, fisheries and agriculture as well as tourism suffered losses. The 
severe  damage  to  coastal  protection  infrastructure  left  the  population  exposed  to 
greater risks. 

Portugal  estimated  the  cost  of  emergency  and  recovery  operations  eligible  under 
Article 3(2) of the Regulation at EUR 279,3 million and presented it broken down by 
type of operation. The overwhelming part of eligible costs (almost EUR 270 million) 
concerns costs for the restoration of transport infrastructure, in particular harbours. 

The  Portuguese  authorities  communicated  that  no  data  was  currently  available  on 
insurance coverage of eligible costs. 

The affected region is  a "less developed region" under the European Structural and 
Investment  Funds  (2014-2020).  The  Portuguese  authorities  signalled  to  the 
Commission  that  they  do  not  intend  reallocating  funding  from  the  ESI  Funds 
programmes towards recovery measures. 

As  regards  the  implementation  of  Union  legislation  on  disaster  risk  prevention  and 
management, there is currently no infringement procedure on going. The Portuguese 
application  briefly  describes  that  Recommendation  2002/413/EC  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and options for an 
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy in Europe serves as guiding basis for 
coastal management and definition of coastal protection interventions in the Azores. 
Work  is  underway  on  the  implementation  of  Directive  2007/60/EC  on  the 
Assessment and Management of Flood Risk and coastal degradation. 

2.2 

Spain  –  Flooding  in  the  regions  of  Valencia,  Murcia,  Castilla-La  Mancha  and 
Andalucia in September 2019 

From  9 September 2019  a  rare  meteorological  phenomenon  described  as  “isolated  high 
altitude depression” (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, DANA) affected the south east of 
the Iberic peninsula. The phenomenon, which is characterised by extreme rainfall resulting in 
flooding, culminated between 12 and 16 September and very seriously affected large areas of 
the regions of Valencia, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Spain  applied  for  EUSF  financial  assistance  on  28 November 2019,  within  the 
deadline of 12 weeks after the first damage was recorded on 9 September 2019. The 
application relates to four of Spain’s NUTS level 2 regions (Comunidad Valenciana, 
Región  de  Murcia,  Castilla-La  Mancha  and  Andalucía)  and  was  submitted  as  a 
'regional disaster' under Article 2(3) of the Regulation. Following a request from the 
Commission  additional  information  to  complete  the  application  was  submitted  on 
18 December 2019 and 29 January 2020.  

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

The  Spanish  authorities  estimate  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at 
EUR 2 269,7 million.  The  application  was  presented  on  the  basis  of  the  criteria  for 
'regional  disasters'  as  laid  down  in  Article  2(3)  of  the  Regulation  which  defines  a 
'regional disaster' as any natural disaster resulting in a region at NUTS level 2 of an 
eligible  State  in  direct  damage  in  excess  of  1,5 %  of  that  region's  GDP.  As  the 
disaster concerns several regions, the average GDP weighted by the share of damage 
in  each  regions  is  applied.  Accordingly,  the  amount  of  damage  reported  by  Spain 
represents 2,65 % of the weighted regional GDP. 

EN 

2 

  EN 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

Total  direct  damage  is  the  basis  for  the  calculation  of  the  amount  of  the  financial 
contribution from the Fund. The financial contribution may only be used for essential 
emergency and recovery operations as defined in Article 3 of the Regulation. 

In its application, Spain requested the payment of an advance as laid down in Article 
4a of the Regulation. On 13 February 2020 the Commission adopted Implementing 
Decision C(2020)905 awarding a 10 % advance amounting to EUR 5 674 336 on the 
anticipated financial contribution from the Fund and subsequently paid it out in full 
to Spain. 

In  their  application  the  Spanish  authorities  described  the  nature  and  impact  of  the 
disaster. The extreme amount of rainfall exceeded the records of the past 140 years 
and led to severe flooding which cost the lives of 8 persons. Thousands of people had 
to be evacuated from their homes and placed in emergency accommodation. DANA 
severely impacted on the living conditions of the population in the affected areas and 
caused  important  private  and  public  physical  damage.  Roads,  railway  and  airport 
infrastructure  was  damaged  and  services  had  to  be  suspended.  Erosion  caused 
damage  to  the  water  networks,  protective  infrastructure  and  the  environment. 
Equally, beaches were eroded and coastal infrastructure damaged. 

Spain estimated the cost of emergency and recovery operations eligible under Article 
3(2) of the Regulation at EUR 650,6 million and presented it broken down by type of 
operation. The largest share of eligible costs (over EUR 385 million) concerns costs 
for  cleaning  up  operations.  The  second  largest  share  concerns  the  repair  of 
infrastructure amounting to EUR 247 million. 

Upon a request from Spain Copernicus provided satellite images to support response 
measures. 

The  Spanish  authorities  confirmed  that  there  is  no  insurance  coverage  of  eligible 
cost. 

The  Communidad  Valenciana  is  a  "more  developed  region"  under  the  European 
Structural  and  Investment  Funds  (2014-2020),  the  other  three  regions  are  so-called 
transition regions. The Spanish authorities signalled to the Commission that they do 
not  intend  reallocating  funding  from  the  ESI  Funds  programmes  towards  recovery 
measures. 

As  regards  the  implementation  of  Union  legislation  on  disaster  risk  prevention  and 
management,  Spain  informed  that  it  had  transposed  the  EU  Floods  Directive  into 
Spanish  law  and  has  just  complete  the  first  phase  with  a  risk  evaluation  and  the 
establishment of risk maps. The results were reviewed in the second phase The result 
of this review was approved by the National Council for Civil Protection. The new 
plans are due in December 2022. Moreover, Civil Protection Plans have been drawn 
up  against  the  risk  of  Floods,  both  at  the  state  level  and  in  the  Autonomous 
Communities. 

2.3 

Italy - Extreme weather events in the autumn of 2019 

During  late  October  and  November  2019  a  series  of  connected  extreme  weather  events 
affected most of the Italian territory from north to south causing severe damage from flooding 
and landslides and culminating in the flooding of Venice. 

(1) 

Italy applied for a financial contribution from the EUSF on 10 January 2020 within 
the deadline of 12 weeks after the first damage was recorded on 20 October 2019.  

EN 

3 

  EN 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

The disaster is of natural origin and falls within the field of application of the EUSF. 

The  application  was  presented  on  the  basis  of  the  criteria  for  a  ‘major  natural 
disaster’  as  laid  down  in  Article  2(2)  of  the  Regulation.  The  Italian  authorities 
estimate  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at  EUR  5  619,878  million 
(updated amount). This amount represents over 157% of the threshold applicable to 
Italy  for  mobilising  the  EUSF  (damage  over  EUR  3 billion  in  2011  prices).  The 
application from Italy is therefore eligible for a contribution from the EUSF. 

Italy did not request the payment of an advance. 

In their application, the  Italian authorities describe in  detail  the nature  and scale of 
destruction  caused  by  the  extreme  weather  events.  The  disaster  hit  the  Italian 
territory with different intensity and impact on the population, the economy and the 
environment,  depending  on  the  location.  In  all,  17  regions  suffered  damage  with 
Veneto,  Piedmont,  Liguria,  Sicily  and  Emilia  Romagna  being  the  most  affected. 
Veneto alone and in particular the severe flooding of the city of Venice accounted for 
almost  one  third  (EUR 1,8 billion)  of  total  damage.  Abruzzo,  Basilicata,  Calabria, 
Campania,  Friuli  Venezia-Giulia,  Lazio,  Puglia,  Tuscany,  and  the  Autonomous 
Province  of  Bolzano  suffered  to  a  lesser  degree.  Marche,  Valle  d’Aosta  and  the 
Autonomous Province of Trento were the least affected.  

The  disaster  caused  in  particular  major  disruptions  to  the  road-network  at  state, 
regional,  provincial  and  municipal  level  through  landslides  and  fallen  trees,  cutting 
off  a  number  of  isolated  mountain  and  coastal  municipalities.  Disruption  of  river 
networks, slope movements, landslides and flooding occurred in most of the regions. 
The operation of schools and other public services was interrupted. Wind gusts up to 
200  km/h  caused  important  losses  in  forests  (some  8,5 million  cubic  metres  of 
timber)  with  serious  consequences  for  the  wood  related  economy  and  tourism.  In 
Veneto,  in  particular,  some  130  Natura  2000  protected  sites  suffered  damage  on 
more  than  414 000  hectares  of  land.  Flooding  of  public  and  private  buildings  was 
reported  in  almost  all  regions.  Major  losses  occurred  in  agriculture  with  direct 
damage  to  agricultural  structures  (greenhouses,  machinery).  Sewerage  systems 
treatment plants were blocked. Electrical power and gas networks were interrupted. 

In  Veneto  flooding  caused  enormous  damage  to  public  and  private  properties, 
commercial  and  economic  industrial  activities  as  well  as  activities  and  to  tertiary 
services. A tidal peak of over 187 cm above sea level has led to the flooding of over 
85 %  of  the  Venice  city.  The  waves  of  aqua  alta  caused  significant  damage  to  the 
artistic and cultural heritage of the historic centre of Venice and to the innumerable 
assets on the main islands of the Lagoon, including damage to artefacts, considerable 
damages to the paper assets such as books, manuscripts and archives. The flooding of 
some 75 historic churches resulted in structural damage and affected furnishings and 
a  vast  archive  heritage.  In  addition,  the  water  transport  system  of  Venice  suffered 
damage  to  numerous  landing  structures,  ferries  and  speedboats.  Furthermore, 
electrical and electronic equipment was damaged. 

In Piedmont the disaster affected over 800 municipalities. In Liguria, it led to floods, 
subsidence  processes  and  landslides,  damaging  in  particular  the  road  system.  In 
Sicily  it  led  to  severe  repercussions  on  the  supply  of  services  and  economic  losses 
resulting  from  the  interruption  of  agriculture  and  production.  In  Emilia-Romagna 
flooding of the river network led to  bank erosions, floods and overflows of ditches 
and  canals  with  consequent  damage  to  residential  areas,  production,  riverbank 
defences and to hydraulic installations. The storms also caused considerable damage 

EN 

4 

  EN 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

to coastal defence works, the almost complete destruction of the artificial dune that 
protecting  the  coast.  Land  erosions  and  landslides  occurred  in  the  hilly  and 
mountainous areas with severe impact on the road network. 

According  to  the  Commission’s  analysis,  the  weather  events  during  the  period 
covered  by  the  application  can  be  a  single  event  from  a  meteorological  and 
hydrological  point  of  view.  Furthermore,  the  geographical  extent  and  order  of 
magnitude of the damage claimed by the Italian authorities appear plausible. 

Italy estimated the cost of emergency and recovery operations eligible under Article 
3(2) of the Regulation at over EUR 1 110,1 million and presented it broken down by 
type  of  operation.  The  largest  share  of  eligible  costs  (over  EUR 479 million) 
concerns expenditure for restoring preventive infrastructure and the protection of the 
cultural  heritage.  The  second  largest  share  concerns  costs  for  the  restauration  of 
essential infrastructure (EUR 465 million). 

The Italian authorities confirmed that there is no insurance coverage of eligible costs. 

Out of the 17 affected regions, five qualify as “less developed regions” under the ESI 
Funds  2014-2020  (Basilicata,  Calabria,  Campania,  Puglia  and  Sicily),  Abruzzo 
qualifies  as  “regions  in  transition”  whereas  the  other  regions  are  “more  developed 
regions”. The Italian authorities did not signal to the Commission their intention to 
reallocate funding from the ESI Funds programmes towards recovery measures. 

(10) 

Italy  did  not  request  the  activation  of  the  Union  Civil  Protection  Mechanism. 
However,  an  information  note  was  sent  to  the  Emergency  Response  Coordination 
Centre ERCC via the Common Emergency Communication and Information System 
CECIS. 

(11) 

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

2.4 

Austria - Extreme weather events in November 2019 

Between 11 and 23 November 2019, the south-western parts of Austria suffered from severe 
flooding, in particular in Carinthia and Eastern Tyrol. The events were triggered by the same 
meteorological conditions that lead to a major disaster in  Italy. The extreme weather caused 
considerable damage to essential public infrastructure, private homes, businesses and forests. 
The events were very similar to the ones one year earlier, albeit causing less damage. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Austria  applied  for  a  contribution  from  the  EUSF  on  29 January 2020  within  the 
deadline of 12 weeks after the first damage was recorded on 11 November 2019. On 
9 March 2020  Austria  submitted,  on  its  own  initiative,  updated  information  with 
slightly higher damage estimates for the affected regions. 

The disaster is of natural origin and falls within the field of application of the EUSF. 

The  Austrian  authorities  estimate  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at 
EUR 93,2 million.  This  amount  is  considerably  below  the  major  disaster  threshold 
applicable  to  Austria  in  2020  of  EUR 2 307,9 million  (i.e.  0,6 %  of  Austria’s  gross 
national  income).  It  also  remains  below  the  threshold  for  a  so-called  regional 
disaster, i.e. 1,5% of regional gross domestic product weighted according to the share 
of  damage  in  the  affected  regions.  The  disaster  therefore  does  neither  qualify  as  a 
'major  natural  disaster'  nor  as  a  ‘regional  natural  disaster’  under  the  terms  of  the 
Regulation.  However,  as  the  disaster  was  caused  by  the  same  meteorological 
conditions  which  caused  the  major  disaster  in  Italy,  the  Austrian  authorities 

EN 

5 

  EN 

presented their application under the so called ‘neighbouring eligible State’ provision 
laid down in Article 2(4) of the Regulation, whereby an eligible country affected by 
the  same  disaster  qualifying  as  a  major  disaster  in  a  neighbouring  eligible  country 
may also benefit from EUSF assistance. This condition is met. 

The Austrian authorities did not request the payment of an advance.  

The Austrian authorities provided a detailed description of the impact of the disaster. 
By far the largest damage was caused in the southernmost Austrian Land Carinthia 
and in the adjacent province of Eastern Tyrol, both Alpine areas bordering on Italy. 
Land Salzburg and Land Styria suffered minor damage. Heavy rain lead to flooding 
of  numerous  watercourses  causing  damage  mostly  to  transport  infrastructure  and 
closure of roads. A number of bridges were severely damaged. Unusual snowfall and 
avalanches  added  to  the  problems  and  caused  damage  in  forestry.  Railway 
connections  were  interrupted,  homes  and  public  buildings  were  flooded,  some 
settlements were temporarily cut off and electricity supply was interrupted. 

Austria  estimated  the  cost  of  emergency  and  recovery  operations  eligible  under 
Article 3(2) of the Regulation at EUR 61,3 million and presented it broken down by 
type of operation. The largest share (over EUR 40 million) of eligible costs concerns 
costs  for  the  recovery  of  damage  to  the  transport  network.  Measures  against  soil 
erosion account for some EUR 13 million.  

The  Austrian  authorities  confirmed  that  there  is  no  insurance  coverage  of  eligible 
costs. 

The affected regions are “more developed regions” under the ESI Funds 2014-2020. 
In their application the  Austrian authorities indicated that they intend using monies 
from  the  Austrian  Rural  Development  Programme  funded  by  the  European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for the recreation of protective forests. 

Austria did not request the activation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. 

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

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

2.5 

Conclusion 

For  the  reasons  set  out  above,  the  disasters  referred  to  in  the  applications  submitted  by 
Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria meet the conditions set out in the Regulation for mobilising 
the EUSF. 

3. 

FINANCING FROM THE EUSF ALLOCATIONS 2020 

Council  Regulation  (EU,  EURATOM)  No  1311/2013  of  2 December 2013  laying  down  the 
multiannual financial framework for the  years 2014-20202 (hereafter "the MFF regulation"), 
and in particular Article 10 thereof allows for the mobilisation of the EUSF, within an annual 
ceiling  of  EUR 500 000 000  (2011  prices).  Point  11  of  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  of 
2 December 2013  between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on 
budgetary  discipline,  on  cooperation  on  budgetary  matters  and  on  sound  financial 
management3 (IIA) lays down the modalities for the mobilisation of the EUSF. 

2 
3 

OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884. 
OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1. 

EN 

6 

  EN 

                                                 
As solidarity was the central justification for the creation of the EUSF, the Commission takes 
the view that aid should be progressive. That means that, according to previous practice, the 
portion  of  the  damage  exceeding  the  “major  natural  disaster”  threshold  for  mobilising  the 
EUSF  (i.e.  0,6 %  of  GNI  or  EUR 3 billion  in  2011  prices,  whichever  is  the  lower  amount) 
should give rise to higher aid intensity than damage up to the threshold. The rate applied in 
the past for defining the allocations for major disasters is 2,5 % of total direct damage under 
the threshold and 6 % for the part of the damage above. For regional disasters and disasters 
accepted under the “neighbouring country” provision the rate is 2,5 %. 

The  contribution  may  not  exceed  the  estimated  total  cost  of  eligible  operations.  The 
methodology for calculating the aid was set out in the 2002-2003 Annual Report on the EUSF 
and accepted by the Council and the European Parliament. 

On the basis of the applications from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria the calculation of the 
financial contribution from the EUSF, based on the estimate of total direct damages caused is 
as follows: 

Qualification 
of disaster 

Regional 
(Art. 2(3)) 
Regional 
(Art. 2(3)) 

Major 
(Art. 2(2)) 

Neighbouring 
(Art. 2(4)) 

Member 
States 

PORTUGAL 

SPAIN 

ITALY 

AUSTRIA 

TOTAL 

Total 
direct 
damage 

(EUR 
million) 

Applied 
regional 
disaster 
threshold 
[1.5 % of GDP/ 
1 % of GDP for 
outermost 
regions]  

(million EUR) 

Major 
disaster 
threshold 

2,5 % of 
direct damage 
up to 
threshold 

6 % of direct 
damage above 
threshold 

Total amount 
of aid 
proposed 
(EUR) 

Advances 
paid 

(EUR) 

(EUR) 

(EUR 
million) 

(EUR) 

328,508 

39,271 

2 269,734 

1 287,076 

- 

- 

8 212 697 

56 743 358 

- 

- 

8 212 697 

821 270 

56 743 358 

5 674 336 

5 619,878 

- 

3 585,278 

89 631 943 

122 076 039 

211 707 982 

93,191 

- 

- 

2 329 777 

- 

2 329 777 

278 993 814  

- 

- 

In  accordance  with  Article  10(1)  of  the  MFF  regulation,  the  total  amount  available  for  the 
mobilisation of the EUSF at the beginning of 2020 was EUR 1 150 524 045, being the sum of 
the 2020 allocation of EUR 597 546 284, plus  the 2019  allocation of EUR 552 977 761 that 
remained unspent and was carried over to 2020. 

The amount that may be mobilised at this stage of the year 2020 is EUR 1 001 137 474. This 
corresponds to the total amount available for the mobilisation of the EUSF at the beginning of 
2020  (EUR 1 150 524 045),  minus  the  retained  amount  of  EUR 149 386 571  in  order  to 
respect  the  obligation  of  keeping  aside  25 %  of  the  2020  annual  allocation  until  1  October 
2020 as stipulated by Article 10(1) of the MFF regulation. 

EN 

7 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EUSF financing summary table 

2019 allocation carried forward to 2020 

2020 allocation 

Total available at the beginning of 2020 

Minus 25% of the 2020 allocation retained 

Maximum amount currently available (2019+2020 allocations) 

Total  amount  of  aid  proposed  to  be  mobilised  for  Portugal,  Spain,  Italy  and 
Austria 

Remaining availabilities until 1 October 2020 

Amount 

EUR 

552 977 761 

597 546 284 

----------------- 

1 150 524 045 

-149 386 571 

----------------- 

1 001 137 474 

- 278 993 814 

----------------- 

722 143 660 

EN 

8 

  EN 

 
Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to 
Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, 

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing 
the European Union Solidarity Fund4, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof, 

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European 
Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on  budgetary  discipline,  on  cooperation  in 
budgetary matters and on sound financial management5, and in particular point 11 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

4 
5 
6 

The  European  Union  Solidarity  Fund  ('the  Fund')  aims  to  enable  the  Union  to 
respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to 
show solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters.  

The  Fund  is  not  to  exceed  a  maximum  annual  amount  of  EUR 500 000 000  (2011 
prices),  as  laid  down  in  Article  10  of  Council  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  No 
1311/20136. 

On  8 November 2019,  Portugal  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund, 
following extreme weather events in Azores. 

On  28 November2019,  Spain  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund, 
following  extreme rainfall resulting in  flooding in the regions  of Valencia, Murcia, 
Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia.  

On  10 January 2020,  Italy  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund  following 
extreme weather events in 17 Regions in the autumn of 2019. 

On  29 January 2020,  Austria  submitted  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund  following 
extreme weather events in November 2019. 

The  applications  by  Portugal,  Spain,  Italy  and  Austria  meet  the  conditions  for 
providing  a  financial  contribution  from  the  Fund,  as  laid  down  in  Article  4  of 
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. 

The Fund should therefore be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution 
to Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria. 

OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3. 
OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1. 
Council  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  No  1311/2013  of  2  December  2013  laying  down  the  multiannual 
financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884). 

EN 

9 

  EN 

                                                 
(9) 

In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply 
from the date of its adoption. 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

For  the  general  budget  of  the  Union  for  the  financial  year  2020,  the  European  Union 
Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised as follows in commitment and payment appropriations: 

(a) the amount of EUR 8 212 697 shall be provided to Portugal; 

(b) the amount of EUR 56 743 358 shall be provided to Spain; 

(c) the amount of EUR 211 707 982 shall be provided to Italy; 

(d) the amount of EUR 2 329 777 shall be provided to Austria. 

Article 2 

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Union. 
It shall apply from … [the date of its adoption]. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

 Date to be inserted by the Parliament before the publication in OJ. 

EN 

10 

  EN