The EP approved 114 million euros for the Czech Republic to assist after last year’s floods

Strasbourg – The European Parliament today approved the allocation of 114 million euros (approximately 2.8 billion CZK) to the Czech Republic following last year’s floods. This amount is part of a broader flood aid package worth 280 million euros (6.9 billion CZK), which also includes Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Funds from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can be used to cover repairs of public property, such as transport infrastructure or educational and healthcare facilities, as well as cleaning affected areas and protecting cultural heritage.

The rapporteur of the proposal, Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki from the European People’s Party (EPP), noted that natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and the EU must be prepared to provide effective and rapid assistance. He also stated that the aid approved today was made possible due to last year’s increase in the resources of the solidarity fund.

According to the Czech Ministry of Finance, the European contribution for damage compensation is based on the total assessed flood damage. “The Czech Republic has thus met the criteria for major disasters, which allows for a contribution of up to 2.85 billion crowns. The proposed contribution therefore corresponds to our expectations,” said the ministry spokesperson Petra Vodstrčilová to ČTK in May.

The total damage from the September floods, which primarily affected the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions, reached 70.6 billion crowns according to the government. Of this, approximately 25 billion crowns were damages to private property of citizens and companies, and about 45 billion crowns were damages to state, regional, and municipal property. (July 9)