Union Civil Protection Mechanism request from the Spanish Government

Priority question for written answer P-002405/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE)

Heavy rainfall in Spain in October and November 2024 has caused catastrophic floods in the regions of Valencia, Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha. This state of affairs has led to the loss of human life - the number of people killed had reached 211 by the time this question was tabled - and the destruction of homes and damage to infrastructure, and it is having serious economic and environmental repercussions.

The purpose of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, governed by Decision No 1313/2013/EU and other complementary regulations, is to provide assistance to Member States facing disaster situations beyond their response capacities by making resources and logistical support available to them.

Taking into account that the Commission has those powers:

• 1.Can it confirm that, with a view to mitigating the effects of the floods, the Spanish Government asked for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to be activated in the early stages of this disaster?
• 2.If it did, what kind of assistance was or is being provided?
• 3.If it did not, has the Commission received any justification from the Spanish authorities about why they have not asked for the mechanism to be activated?

Submitted: 4.11.2024