Budgets MEPs Approve Aid of EUR 1.98 M for Flood Repairs in Bulgaria

The European Parliament's Committee on Budgets (BUDG) has approved financial aid of EUR 1.98 M for urgent recovery activities necessitated by the floods in 2014 in Bulgaria.

The financial aid will be granted by the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) as part of a EUR 65.5 M package for the three worst-hit countries by the floods in 2014, including Bulgaria, Italy, and Romania, according to a media statement of the BUDG.

The funding included in the EUR 65.5 M package will go to repairs of the damage inflicted on public and private infrastructure, private homes, businesses, agriculture, the environment, and cultural heritage, by the spring and summer floods (Romania), summer floods (Bulgaria) and autumn floods (Italy).

Italy, where the floods claimed the lives of 11, will receive a total of EUR 56 M, Romania will get EUR 8.49 M, and Bulgaria EUR 1.98 M.

The total direct damage cost an estimated EUR 2 241 M in Italy, EUR 339.8 in Romania and EUR 79.3 in Bulgaria.

Parliament as a whole will vote on the matter at the July plenary session. The Council of Ministers has already approved the aid.