Situation in Italy after the earthquakes
14.11.2016
Question for oral answer O-000140/2016
to the Commission
Rule 128
Lambert van Nistelrooij, Antonio Tajani, Elisabetta Gardini, Salvatore Cicu, on behalf of the PPE Group
Constanze Krehl, Mercedes Bresso, on behalf of the S&D Group
Davor Škrlec, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso
On 24 August 2016 a devastating earthquake hit central Italy, while three other major quakes, within a flurry of tremors, struck central Italian regions, on 26 October with magnitudes 5.5 and 6.1, and on 30 October with magnitude 6.5, respectively. More than 400 people were reportedly injured and 290 people killed in the earthquakes, while a possible ‘domino effect’ may lead to 100 000 people being displaced.
The territories concerned suffer from a deformation that extends over an area of about 130 square kilometres, with a maximum displacement of at least 70 centimetres. As a result, the quakes have destroyed towns, seriously damaged local and regional infrastructure, destroyed items of historic and cultural heritage, and damaged economic activities, especially SMEs, agriculture and tourist and gastronomic resources.
In addition to this, the harsh weather conditions to be expected during the forthcoming winter season are a major concern for the many displaced persons. This problem needs to be addressed quickly and effectively in order to guarantee decent living conditions for the people deprived of their homes.
Given this context, the Commission is asked to answer the following:
– Has it received an application from the Italian Government for European Solidarity Fund support, and has it taken all measures necessary for promptly assessing and mobilising such support with a view to helping the Italian national and regional authorities involved in relief efforts following the disaster?
– Would it consider requests for amendments to Italian National and Regional Operational programmes in order to better address the issues of Thematic Objective 5 (‘promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management’), should Italy duly justify these requests in accordance with Article 30 of the Common Provision Regulations?
– Would it look into existing procedures for analysing applications for funding with the aim of simplifying procedures and of shortening the time needed for approval and disbursement of financing from the Solidarity Fund?
– Would it analyse the feasibility of creating a loan mechanism within the EIB framework that could be established with the purpose of providing the sum intended for a Member State before the amount is disbursed from the Solidarity Fund?