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European Commission - Press release Commission proposes €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania, and Cyprus recover from climate disasters Brussels, 18 May 2026 The European Commission has proposed the mobilisation of €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Spain, Romania and Cyprus in their recovery from devastating climate- related disasters in 2025. Th...
European Commission - Press release Commission proposes €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania, and Cyprus recover from climate disasters Brussels, 18 May 2026 The European Commission has proposed the mobilisation of €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Spain, Romania and Cyprus in their recovery from devastating climate- related disasters in 2025. This financial support underscores the EU's commitment to standing by its Member States in times of crisis, ensuring that affected communities receive the necessary assistance to rebuild and restore essential services. When determining these amounts, the Commission took into consideration the magnitude of the damage caused by each disaster, as reported by each country, in line with the EUSF rules , as well as its financial availability. Spain: rebuilding after devastating wildfires In 2025, Spain endured a series of extreme weather events, including prolonged drought, intense heatwaves, and three major wildfire outbreaks. The most destructive wave of fires began on 8 August, forcing mass evacuations and tragically claiming eight lives. The Commission is proposing a total of €120.4 million, including an advance payment of over €30 million already granted, to support recovery efforts, including the restoration of critical infrastructure such as water, wastewater, telecommunications, education, transport, and cultural heritage. Funds will also be allocated for temporary accommodation and emergency rescue services. Romania: repairing flood-damaged infrastructure In May and June 2025, Romania faced severe flooding in the Centru, Sud Muntenia, and Nord Est regions after several days of heavy rainfall. The Praid Salt Mine suffered significant damage when floodwaters from the Corund River eroded part of the riverbed, compromising hydrotechnical infrastructure and causing widespread power outages. The Commission is proposing €14.3 million to help restore the affected areas, ensuring that essential services are reinstated as quickly as possible. Cyprus: recovering from unprecedented wildfires Cyprus experienced two catastrophic wildfires in July 2025, primarily in the Limassol and Paphos regions. Thousands of residents were displaced, two lives were lost, and nearly 900 private properties were destroyed. Schools and healthcare facilities were forced to reduce services due to the fires. The Commission is proposing a total of €9.2 million, which includes an advance payment of €2.3 million already paid to Cyprus, to support the restoration of energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and transport infrastructure. Next Steps Spain and Cyprus have already received advance payments to support their initial recovery efforts. The full amounts proposed today will require approval from the European Parliament and the Council before being disbursed. Once approved, the funds will be released in a single payment to each Member State. Background Since its establishment in 2002, the EU Solidarity Fund has provided over €10 billion in assistance for 147 disaster events, including 127 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies, across 25 Member States and six accession countries. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the Fund remains a vital tool for ensuring collective resilience. The 2025 wildfire season was the most destructive as recorded by data. Therefore, the Commission has presented in March 2026 an integrated approach to wildfire risk management . The EUSF is part of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve , a special instrument of the EU budget which operates outside the normal expenditure ceilings of the EU budget. Its mobilisation needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. IP/26/1092 Quote(s): "2025 was marked by the worst wildfires on record, also impacting Cyprus and Spain, while the flooding in Romania caused damage that will take years to repair. When disaster strikes, Europeans need to know that solidarity is more than a word. Today we are proposing to mobilise €144 million, to stand by our citizens when they need it most." Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms - 18/05/2026 Press contacts: Maciej BERESTECKI (+32 2 29 66483) Isabel ARRIAGA-E-CUNHA (+32 2 29 52117) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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