Floods: Over 40 Million for Austria from EU Funds

42.8 million euros are to flow to Austria to help cover the costs of the impacts of the severe floods in autumn 2024.

EU Commission proposed release of funds

The storm depression "Boris" brought strong storms and heavy rainfall to Central Europe in autumn 2024, leading to extensive flooding. They began in September in Austria and the Czech Republic and then spread to Poland and other Central European regions. Early October saw severe flash floods and landslides in Central Bosnia and Herzegovina. In response to these storms and the severe damage they caused, the EU Commission proposed the release of the funds.

The financial support is to be distributed as follows: 42.8 million euros for Austria, 114 million euros for the Czech Republic, 76 million euros for Poland, 2.1 million euros for Slovakia, 45.7 million euros for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 195,200 euros for Moldova. The Commission's proposal must still be approved by the Council (of EU states) after the European Parliament. Subsequently, the Commission intends to make the necessary implementing decisions to release the financial aid in a single tranche.

This is the EU Solidarity Fund

The EU Solidarity Fund is a key instrument for supporting disaster protection in the member states and candidate countries. It finances various parts of disaster management, such as the repair of damaged infrastructure or the protection of the affected population, for example, by providing emergency shelters.

"Europe also extends a hand"

The SPÖ-EU members of parliament Andreas Schieder, Evelyn Regner, Günther Sidl, Elisabeth Grossmann, and Hannes Heide welcome the support in a statement as a strong sign of lived European solidarity: "The flash floods last autumn were devastating and will remain in the national memory for a long time. Five people lost their lives, entire villages were flooded, and countless families were left with nothing overnight. (...) Europe also extends a hand. The now released 42.8 million euros from the Solidarity Fund are an expression of lived European solidarity. They not only help with reconstruction but also flow into prevention to ensure such disasters do not repeat."

(APA/Red)

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