As published this morning, yesterday the European Parliament approved European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) payments of 484.5 million euros to support emergency measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters with 675 of 696 votes in favour, with 8 votes against and 13 abstentions.

Bavarian MEP Henrike Hahn (The Greens/EFA), substitute member of the Committee on Budgets and shadow rapporteur for the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) comments:

“One of the fundamental concepts of the EU is solidarity in times of crisis. Regarding the upcoming payments of the EU Solidarity Fund, we Greens have successfully insisted that climate change is taken into account. So far, the EUSF focused on emergency support when the damage has occurred already. However, with regard to the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green Deal, fighting climate change now requires above all preventive measures. Prevention instead of support afterwards has to be the core principle of future EU actions for climate protection.“

Background:

The EUSF will make a total amount of 484.5 million Euros available. First, France and Greece will be supported which were affected by natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes and hurricanes in autumn 2020. And second, several countries, including Germany, requested EU support following the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Germany will receive 13.7 million euros, in addition to the 15.5 million euros already paid in advance in winter 2020/2021. The Commission assessed these emergencies and outlined concrete financial support for each of the states, which were approved by the European Parliament.

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