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Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain with regard to storms in 2026

TA-10-2026-0354 · P10_TA(2026)0354 · PE796.158

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Parliament approves the decision to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for Malta and Italy after storm Harry in January 2026 and for Portugal and Spain after storms in January and February 2026. It expresses solidarity with victims and welcomes the aid as a visible form of Union solidarity that complements national, regional and local efforts. It calls for more investment in prevention, resilience and adaptation, targeted support for islands, and climate-resilient reconstruction. It asks the Commission to speed up and simplify EUSF procedures, use advance payments, and coordinate the fund with other Union programmes without double funding. It calls for better communication of EUSF benefits and for attention to vulnerable groups and health and social care in extreme weather.

Key points

  1. Parliament approves the decision annexed to the resolution on mobilising the EUSF for Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
  2. It expresses solidarity with victims, their families and affected people, and with national, regional and local authorities in the relief efforts.
  3. It welcomes the decision as a tangible form of Union solidarity and says EUSF aid complements member states' efforts under subsidiarity.
  4. It calls on member states and the Commission to invest more in prevention, resilience, adaptation and mitigation, and says EUSF actions should stay adequately financed under the next multiannual financial framework.
  5. It highlights the vulnerability of islands and calls for targeted adaptation measures, adequate funding, simplified procedures and technical assistance for them.
  6. It stresses that the EUSF is only a curative instrument and that the Union should also support prevention policies and Paris Agreement commitments.
  7. It invites member states to build risk-assessment and adaptation policies, says EUSF-funded reconstruction must be climate-resilient, and stresses protecting critical infrastructure.
  8. It calls on the Commission to support monitoring and exchange on preventive and health measures in extreme weather, with attention to older people, persons with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses.
  9. It encourages digital tools, satellite data such as Copernicus, artificial intelligence and early-warning systems, and welcomes Copernicus support to Portugal.
  10. It calls for synergies with the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund+ and rural development programmes, avoiding gaps and double funding, and says EUSF aid must not reduce other Union funding.
  11. It asks the Commission to work with member states on temporary, proportionate measures for businesses in damaged coastal and port areas, including concession holders.
  12. It urges the Commission to accelerate and simplify EUSF mobilisation, welcomes advance payments, and calls for aid to reach final recipients promptly, including businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, families and citizens.

Who is affected

  • Malta and Italy: receive EUSF assistance after storm Harry in January 2026.
  • Portugal and Spain: receive EUSF assistance after storms in January and February 2026.
  • Islands and island member states: the text calls for targeted adaptation measures and adequate funding.
  • Businesses in damaged coastal and port areas, including concession holders: the Commission is asked to identify temporary measures to help them resume activities.
  • Older people, persons with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses: the text calls for particular attention to their care in extreme weather.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 132,97 million: total direct damage in Malta estimated by the Maltese authorities.
  • EUR 2 995,4 million: total direct damage in Italy estimated by the Italian authorities.
  • EUR 5 351,97 million: total direct damage in Portugal estimated by the Portuguese authorities.
  • 18 fatalities: deaths in Portugal from the storms.
  • EUR 4 839,53 million: total direct damage in Spain estimated by the Spanish authorities.
  • Over 150 roads: closed in Spain because of the storms.
  • 1,5 degrees Celsius: global temperature rise limit referred to in the Paris Agreement.