Brussels, 12/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) raised no objections on Tuesday 14 June to granting over €18 million to Italy to help repair damage caused by severe flooding in Liguria and Tuscany last year. The aid will come from the European Solidarity Fund (ESF), after Italy requested aid. The €18,061,682 will cover only a part of the bill incurred by the disaster, the cost of which has been estimated by Italy at €772.5 million.
The torrential rain damaged homes, businesses and farms, and also caused disruption to public and transport infrastructure. The EP gave the go-ahead to the aid with its adoption of the report by José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal) by the overwhelming majority of 658 votes to seven, with 16 abstentions.
The ESF was set up in November 2002 to help victims of natural disasters in regions in need of financial support. It has an annual ceiling of €1 billion. Italy may submit a further request for aid from the fund after the earthquake which hit the Emilia-Romagna region last month. (MD/transl.rt)