Croatia to get EUR 8.96m from European Solidarity Fund for flood damage

The European Commission on Friday proposed an aid package worth nearly EUR 80 million for Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria after flooding disasters struck the countries in May and June, including EUR 8.96 million for Croatia.

The aid will be paid from the European Solidarity Fund, of which Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn is in charge.

"This decision reflects the very nature of this Fund, which is solidarity with our fellow Member States and those counties negotiating accession in their time of need after natural disasters. The European Solidarity Fund helps these countries get back on their feet and regain stability which is threatened by the severe damage to economic sectors such as tourism, or destruction of essential infrastructure. This proposed support will help Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia to recover from the terrible flooding earlier this year and it will help to reimburse rescue and clean-up costs in the affected regions," Hahn said.

The bulk of the amount, EUR 60.2 million, will go to Serbia, which suffered the worst damage, with the authorities putting it at EUR 1.106 billion. Bulgaria, where the damage was estimated at EUR 311.3 million, will get EUR 10.5 million.

Croatia has estimated its damage at EUR 297.6 million.

(Hina) ha

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