European Commission Announces Massive Flood Aid Package for Hungary: PM Orbán Provides Update
At a critical time when many regions in Hungary are still dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding, the European Commission has announced measures to help alleviate the damages. This announcement was confirmed by a spokesperson on Monday, as reported by Telex.
President of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen, shared the news during a meeting in Wrocław, Poland, where she gathered with the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia to discuss regional cooperation in disaster response. The European Commission plans to make exceptions to various rules regarding the use of cohesion funds in flood-affected areas, allowing funds to be used for pre-financing purposes and waiving the requirement for public co-financing.
It is estimated that these measures could mobilize up to EUR 10 billion, providing significant support to recovery efforts in the affected regions. All affected member states, including Hungary, will be eligible for these facilitations. The omission of Hungary from the list of countries mentioned during the conference was simply due to the availability of damage data from those specific nations rather than any exclusion from the aid.
The European Commission’s response to the disaster also includes requests for assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism, enabling the swift deployment of critical resources to the hardest-hit areas. Additionally, there is a special solidarity fund established for disaster situations, further showcasing the EU’s commitment to supporting its member states during crises.
Member states must reallocate resources effectively for recovery efforts, with specific details on spending to be outlined in operational programs agreed upon by the Hungarian government and the European Commission. While these measures do not provide additional funding, they aim to expedite the absorption of available resources and streamline the recovery process.
PM Viktor Orbán commented on the EU flood aid, stating that Hungarians can always rely on themselves and that the government will handle what they can. He mentioned that while funds are appreciated, they are not something the country relies on heavily. The government will determine the next steps based on the evolving situation and the specific needs of their communities.
In the midst of these challenging times, Hungary can now look forward to support from the European Commission and the EU as a whole to aid in the recovery efforts post-flooding.
