According to Brussels, the Solidarity Fund is an example of how the European Union can provide concrete assistance to member states that have faced natural disasters. Since its creation in 2002, more than ten billion euros have been paid out from the fund.
Brussels – The European Commission today announced that it has paid the Czech Republic 114 million euros (roughly 2.8 billion crowns) to help after last year’s floods. The money can be used to reimburse the costs incurred by the Czech state for the restoration of transport, water distribution or wastewater treatment facilities. The money was provided to Czechia from the European Union Solidarity Fund.
The allocation of funds was approved by the member states and in July also by the European Parliament. “Today the European Commission paid Czechia 114 million euros from the EU Solidarity Fund,” the European Commission said in a statement. The money was part of a larger package of funds for countries affected by floods in Central and Eastern Europe.
Funds from the EU can retroactively finance expenditures for the restoration of basic infrastructure, the European Commission adds. According to Brussels, the Solidarity Fund is an example of how the European Union can provide concrete assistance to member states that have faced natural disasters. Since its creation in 2002, more than ten billion euros have been paid out from the fund.
Total damage from the September floods, which hit especially the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions, reached 70.6 billion crowns according to the government. Of this, roughly 25 billion was damage to private property of citizens and companies and roughly 45 billion damage to the property of the state, regions and municipalities. (22 December)
