Regions of the EU stricken by natural disaster can seek aid from the Union through the European civil protection mechanism, the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) or through cohesion policy, said Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu, visiting Madeira on Thursday 22 September.
In August, the Portuguese archipelago was devastated by wildfires resulting from the exceptionally high temperatures and dry weather. In a speech in which she expressed her solidarity with the people of Madeira, the commissioner spelled out the three options available to them for obtaining EU aid: the European Civil Protection Mechanism, cohesion policy and the EU Solidarity Fund. She said that the Commission is currently assessing the application for aid submitted by the regional government of Madeira and the Portuguese government on Wednesday 21 September.
Applications to the European Civil Protection Mechanism, administered by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), can be made by any country in the world. The mechanism is able to call upon volunteers from its member states (the 28 EU members, plus Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey) to respond to crises of any kind. In December of last year, Greece triggered the mechanism to help it deal with the influx of refugees (see EUROPE 11446).
The commissioner indicated that cohesion policy can be used to help prepare for natural disasters and to mitigate the consequences. Amendments to operational programmes are possible under certain conditions.
Italy to call on EUSF. The Commission also expects shortly to receive a request from Italy, following the earthquake of 24 August that hit the provinces of Rieti, Ascoli Piceno and Perugia. Member states have 12 weeks from the date of the disaster to apply for the EUSF (see EUROPE 11610). An application should be submitted by mid-November, EUROPE has been told. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)