Flood in northern Italy

26.10.2000

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3475/00
by Vittorio Sgarbi (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

The recent severe weather has devastated north-west Italy, causing extensive damage to local economies, communications, homes, and, indeed, scores of deaths. The toll would undoubtedly have been far higher if the emergency services had not been properly prepared and so quick to act.

 

Earlier flooding on a similar scale likewise wreaked havoc in southern Italy. In that case too, the damage was immense, and several lives were lost.

 

The prospects for the rest of autumn and the coming winter are now being viewed with justified anxiety despite the fact that prevention systems and the operational apparatus have been shown to be extremely efficient.

 

In view of the exceptional nature and the seriousness of what has happened, does the Commission believe that the European institutions ought to provide assistance in the form of economic cooperation and contributions of Union resources?

 

OJ C 163 E, 06/06/2001