MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the major natural disasters in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and in France

3.3.2010

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Giommaria Uggias and Marielle De Sarnez on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0139/2010

B7‑0139/2010

European Parliament resolution on the major natural disasters in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and in France

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Article 3 of the EU Treaty and Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal for a regulation establishing a European Union Solidarity Fund (COM(2005)0108) and to Parliament’s position of 18 May 2006[1],

–  having regard to the communication from the Commission on a Community approach on the prevention of natural and man-made disasters (COM(2009)0082),

–   having regard to the statement by the Commission of 24 February 2010,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas a major natural disaster took place on 20 February in Madeira, and on 27 February in France, with excessive and unprecedented rainfall, strong winds and very high sea waves, which in Madeira caused the death of at least 48 people, 32 people being missing, 370 people displaced and some 70 people injured; and in France, notably in the four regions Charente-Maritime, Vendée, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne, the death of at least 51 people, several people being missing, and thousands of people homeless,

B.  whereas the disaster caused human suffering and irreparable psychological damage to the victims’ families and the affected population,

C.  whereas the disaster caused destruction on a large scale, with significant damage to public infrastructure – including roads, water supply, electricity, sanitation and telecommunications – as well as to private buildings, commercial establishments, industry and agricultural land, and also damaged the natural and cultural patrimony,

D. whereas the disaster is likely to have long-term economic and social impacts,

E.  whereas there is a need to clean up and reconstruct the disaster-stricken areas as well as to recover their productive potential and to compensate for the social costs inflicted by the disaster,

1.  Expresses its deepest sympathy and solidarity with the affected populations and in particular conveys its condolences to the families of the victims;

2.  Pays tribute to the search and rescue teams that have worked uninterruptedly to save people and limit the human and material damage;

3.  Notes that the damage caused by the natural disasters could have been at least partly prevented, and that this should provide an incentive to develop and implement preventive policies and adequate legislation regarding urban construction on the sea front and the construction of dikes, as well as regarding conservation and appropriate land use, sustainable farm and forestry practices and efficient risk management;

4.  Calls on the Commission to promote promptly, as soon as the Governments of Portugal and France submit their respective requests, all the action necessary to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund in the most urgent and flexible way and to the greatest possible extent, taking into account the specificity of the French regions affected and the fragility of Madeira as an insular and outermost region, with the aim of helping the victims of this disaster;

5.  Calls upon the Member States to consider the need for long-term investment in policies to prevent such disasters and limit their damage;

6.  Calls on the Commission and the Member States to support the economic players affected by the disaster, such as farmers, fishers and aquaculture entrepreneurs;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments of the Member States and the government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

• [1]  P6_TA(2006)0218.