VP/HR — Flooding in Genoa: EU and Italian Government support
14.10.2014
Question for written answer P-007886-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Lara Comi (PPE) , Giovanni Toti (PPE)
Genoa was recently hit by severe flooding which caused damage estimated at EUR 300 million to property, the cultural heritage, businesses and infrastructure and resulted in a number of casualties.
Although the Solidarity Fund, on which the Italian Government will presumably make a call within the next 10 weeks, will provide much-needed assistance, it is intended to cover emergency operations only.
With reference to the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC), which lays down a framework for the assessment and management of flood risks, and with a view to enabling all available sources of EU funding to be drawn on, can the Commission say:
- 1.What EU funds other than the Solidarity Fund may be used, and what funding can be provided under EU programmes, even on a co-financing basis, to help repair the damage caused by this disaster and make high-risk areas safe?
- 2.Whether Italy has met its obligations under Directive 2007/60/EC, in particular as regards the flood hazard and flood risk maps and related risk management plans provided for in the directive, and whether data are already available on the areas affected?
- 3.Whether an exception could be made to the Stability Pact to allow the local authorities to take the action required to make the area affected safe?