09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 08:08
Today the Council agreed to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France, relating to six natural disasters occurred in 2023. The assistance will come from the EU's 2024 budget.
The European Union Solidarity Fund will be mobilised for a total amount of €1028.54 million in commitment and payment appropriations, including the amount of €231.78 million as advance payments, of which respectively:
In practice, once the decision has entered into force, the EU will transfer money from the solidarity and emergency aid reserve in its 2024 budget to the so-called EU Solidarity Fund operational budget line, from where it can be paid to the countries that have applied for financial assistance from this fund after being struck by natural disasters.
The EU Solidarity Fund is designed to provide financial assistance in the event of a major disaster in a member state or a country holding accession negotiations with the EU.