Warning of lack of help
EU is running out of money for disaster support
September 12, 2023, 4:18 p.m
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More and more storms not only cause tragedies in the affected areas, but also tighten the coffers that are used to deal with such crises. An EU commissioner is now even warning that aid could soon not be forthcoming.
In view of increasing storms with sometimes devastating consequences, the EU Commission is sounding the alarm: the funds available for relief measures in disaster areas are no longer sufficient, the Brussels authority explained. In July and August alone, the EU disaster mechanism was activated twelve times due to forest fires, floods and emergencies in Ukraine, explained the responsible EU Commissioner Janez Lenarcic. “The resources have reached their limits,” said the Slovenian politician. “Soon we may no longer be able to help when needed.”
According to the information, the funds have already been completely used up in 2021 and 2022. In the current year, the magnitude of natural disasters has increased, as demonstrated by the forest fires and floods in Greece and Spain or the floods in Slovenia. The EU reserve for emergencies currently amounts to a maximum of 1.2 billion euros per year. The EU Commission wants to increase the fund by 2.5 billion euros for the years 2024 to 2027. However, the member states and the European Parliament must agree to this.
Natural disasters and their consequences are not just plaguing Europe this summer. After the devastating earthquake in Morocco, Libya is currently struggling with severe flooding. Authorities speak of at least 2,000 deaths – and there could be many more. “The situation is very catastrophic,” said a minister. He expects the final number of victims to be “very, very high.”
In Germany, storms with storms and hail at the end of August did not cause a catastrophe comparable to those in Greece, Spain or Slovenia – but the material consequences there were also sometimes immense. The Bavarian Insurance Chamber recently reported losses in the three-digit million range. According to the insurer, the “Denis” depression, which was concentrated in Bad Bayersoien and Benediktbeuern, is said to have been the most severe and expensive storm in the Free State in the past five years. Numerous houses and cars were damaged by exceptionally strong hail. Many animals did not survive the storm.