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P10_TA(2025)0274

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Spain and France in relation to natural disasters in 2024 and 2025

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Spain regarding the floods in the Valencia Region of Spain in October 2024 and France following the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025

Committee on Budgets

(COM(2025)0855 – C100239/2025 – 2025/0318(BUD))

PE778.223

European Parliament resolution of 13 November 2025 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Spain regarding the floods in the Valencia Region of Spain in October 2024 and France following the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025 (COM(2025)0855 – C10-0239/2025 – 2025/0318(BUD))

– having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0855 – C100239/2025),

– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 10 thereof,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund,

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

ANNEX: DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Spain regarding the floods in the Valencia Region of Spain in October 2024 and France following the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(The text of this annex is not reproduced here since it corresponds to the final act, Decision (EU) 2025/2403.)

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 10 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The European Union Solidarity Fund ('the Fund') aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by major or regional natural disasters or major public health emergency.

(2) The Fund is not to exceed the ceilings laid down in Article 9 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093.

(3) On 20 January 2025, Spain submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following the floods in October 2024.

(4) On 7 March 2025, France submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following the damages caused cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024.

(5) On 23 May 2025, France submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following the damages caused by cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.

(6) Those applications meet the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the Fund, as laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002.

(7) The Fund should therefore be mobilised to provide a financial contribution to Spain and France.

(8) To minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply from the date of its adoption,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the Union, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised as follows in commitment and payment appropriations in relation to natural disasters:

(a) the amount of EUR 946 153 691 shall be provided to Spain to respond to the emergency situation resulting from the floods in October 2024;

(b) the amount of EUR 89 628 050 shall be provided to France to respond to the emergency situation resulting from the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024;

(c) the amount of EUR 21 236 336 shall be provided to France to respond to the emergency situation resulting from the damages caused by cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from [the date of its adoption]*.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (EUSF regulation) for an amount of EUR 1 057 018 077 to provide assistance to Spain following the floods in the Valencia Region in October 2024 and France following the damages caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte in December 2024 and cyclone Garance in Réunion in February 2025.

Spain - major natural disaster: floods in October 2024

Between 28 October and 4 November 2024, a storm bringing heavy rain struck the entire Valencia region of Spain which led to severe flooding. The disaster affected 2 600 houses and an area of over 500 square kilometres. Thousands of households were left without electricity, drinking water and phone service, as well as significant damage was done to public infrastructure and goods. Over 170 educational establishments and more than 50 health institutions were impacted. The floods caused at least 229 fatalities.

The Commission estimates the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 18.08 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Spain of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 3.96 billion in 2025. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

France - regional natural disaster: cyclones in Mayotte in December 2024

On 14 December 2024, the eye of a cyclone called Chido hit the island of Mayotte, France. The cyclone’s wind gusts exceeded 180 kilometre per hour across the territory. The cyclone also brought heavy rainfall to the island, with an estimated total of 100 to 150 mm of rain within 12 hours. The heavy rainfall and strong winds were combined with dangerously high wave heights of 5 to 9 metres. Subsequently, all dwellings were destroyed. The electricity grid and water network shut down completely and several means of crossing between the two islands of Mayotte were severely affected. Public transport and school transport services were forced to temporarily suspend or significantly reduce their operations. The cyclone caused at least 39 fatalities.

The French authorities submitted the application under the ‘regional natural disaster’ criterion as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation, which is any natural disaster in a region at NUTS level 2 of an eligible State resulting in direct damage exceeding 1.5% of that region’s gross domestic product (GDP) or 1% of regional GDP for the outermost regions. The Commission estimates the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 3.6 billion. This amount exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which is EUR 33.47 million for Mayotte in 2025.

France - regional natural disaster: cyclone in Réunion in February 2025

On 28 February 2025, a cyclone named Garance hit the island of Réunion, France. The cyclonic winds in some areas reached speed of 215 kilometre/hour and brought heavy rain and dangerous sea conditions. Subsequently, the road network was heavily impacted, and the economy was greatly disrupted. The agricultural sector, especially the cane sector, as well as companies relying on tourism suffered major damages due to the cyclone. To help the affected population, 123 accommodation centres were opened for people to seek shelter. The cyclone caused at least 4 fatalities.

The French authorities submitted the application under the ‘regional natural disaster’ criterion as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation. The French authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 849.45 million. This amount exceeds the indicated applicable threshold for “regional disaster”, which is EUR 216.68 million for Réunion in 2025.

Conclusion

The methodology for calculating the aid was set out in the 2002-2003 Annual Report on the EUSF and accepted by the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission therefore proposes to the budget authority to mobilise the following amounts for the applications submitted by Spain and France:

Country/ Disaster

Total direct damage

Applied disaster threshold

2.5% of total direct damage (up to the threshold for major disasters)

6% of total direct damage above the threshold for major disasters

Total amount of aid proposed

Advance paid

Balance to be paid

(EUR)

(EUR)

(EUR)

(EUR)

(EUR)

(EUR)

(EUR)

Spain – floods

18 078 315 857

3 958 436 000

98 960 900

847 192 791

946 153 691

100 000 000

846 153 691

(major disaster)

France (Mayotte) – cyclone

3 585 122 000

33 470 000

89 628 050

N/A

89 628 050

23 782 012

65 846 038

(regional disaster)

France (Réunion) – cyclone

849 453 473

216 680 000

21 236 336

N/A

21 236 336

5 309 084

15 927 252

(regional disaster)

TOTAL

1 057 018 077

129 091 096

927 926 981

Council Regulation 2024/765 of 29 February 2024 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 split the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) in two separate instruments: the European Solidarity Reserve and the Emergency Aid Reserve. The European Solidarity Reserve (ESR) with an annual amount of EUR 1 016 million (in 2018 prices, corresponding to EUR 1 167.1 million in 2025 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the EUSF.

In line with Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph, of the amended MFF Regulation, 25% of the annual EUSF allocation (i.e. EUR 291.8 million for 2025) must be made available on 1 October of each year.

Moreover, according to the Article 4a(4) of the EUSF Regulation, the amount of EUR 50 000 000 has been already inscribed in the EU general budget 2025 (in commitments and payments appropriations) for the payment of possible advances. In 2025, the Commission has already paid four advances for a total amount of EUR 139 754 683.

Finally, the mobilisation for Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina used an amount of EUR 270 077 316 from the ESR.

Therefore, the total available allocation (including 25% of the annual allocation that becomes available on 1 October but excluding the amount still to be used for possible advances until the end of the year) is EUR 928 376 487, which is sufficient to cover the payment needs of this communication. This leaves a remaining balance of EUR 23 172 314 to cover any new applications for advances and additional EUR 449 506 on the reserve line.

Amount available under the EUSF in 2025 (EUR):

Total annual 2025 EUSF allocation (incl. 1 October tranche of EUR 291 766 160)

1 167 064 638

Amount carried over from 2024 incl. unused advances (+)

194 316 162

Amount already used for advances (-)

139 754 683

Amount already mobilised in 2025 (-)

270 077 316

Total amount available, of which:

951 548 801

Amount available for the current Mobilisation Decision

928 376 487

Amount to be used for possible advances until the end of the year

23 172 314

Amount proposed under the current Mobilisation Decision (only balance to be paid)

927 926 981

The Rapporteur recommends the swift approval of the Commission proposal for a decision annexed to this report, leading to the rapid mobilisation of the aforementioned amounts, as a sign of European solidarity with Spain and France. The rapporteur calls on the Commission that this financial contribution should be delivered with particular urgency.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

The rapporteur declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Date adopted

5.11.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

31

0

1

Members present for the final vote

Georgios Aftias, Rasmus Andresen, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Olivier Chastel, Tamás Deutsch, Angéline Furet, Thomas Geisel, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Andrzej Halicki, Monika Hohlmeier, Alexander Jungbluth, Fabienne Keller, Janusz Lewandowski, Giuseppe Lupo, Siegfried Mureşan, Jana Nagyová, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Victor Negrescu, Danuše Nerudová, Younous Omarjee, Karlo Ressler, Bogdan Rzońca, Julien Sanchez, Hélder Sousa Silva, Carla Tavares, Nils Ušakovs

Substitutes present for the final vote

Damian Boeselager, Mohammed Chahim, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová, Kai Tegethoff, Roberts Zīle

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Vivien Costanzo

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

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