The EUSF is a clear testimony of EU solidarity with Member States and countries engaged in negotiations to join the EU affected by natural disasters or major public health emergencies. Yet, it is more than just a financial instrument; it is a sign of EU care and solidarity for regions suffering in the wake of natural disasters and health emergencies. The heart of the EUSF lies in the EU’s commitment to help communities and regions recover and rebuild in the face of adversity.
EUSF's reach and impact
The geographical reach and impact of the EUSF is remarkable. Between 2002 and the beginning of 2024 , the Fund mobilised over EUR 8.6 billion to address 109 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies in 25 Member States, plus the UK and four candidate countries – Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Türkiye.
The types of disaster the EUSF addresses are diverse, but floods are by far the most recurrent natural disaster in Europe. The EUSF has also provided funding to support communities hit by storms, other adverse weather conditions, wildfires and earthquakes. While earthquakes are less frequent, they often have the most catastrophic consequences, warranting substantial financial assistance from the Fund. It can be noted over the past years that climate change is causing increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Europe.
Disasters are classified as major, regional and neighbouring country natural disasters. The classification depends on the amount of direct damage relative to the affected state's wealth, represented by a specific threshold.
Complementarity with other EU funding
The EUSF intervenes when a disaster happened. In view of the limited mandate and scope of EUSF, the affected states are recommended to complement EUSF support with other sources of EU funding to recover and build back better, but also to adapt existing infrastructure and activities to prevent future disasters.
Whilst the Fund acts as a vital tool for disaster response, the EU recognises the need to invest in preventive measures and in climate mitigation in alignment with the European Green Deal. Therefore, the EU promotes and supports Member States in investments in disaster risk prevention and climate adaptation measures.
This approach underscores the need for coordination between the EUSF and other funds, such as Cohesion Policy funds. These include the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund which support, among other things, long-term evidence-based strategic planning for civil protection, and resilience building, taking into account climate impacts, and invest in prevention and disaster risk management measures.
EUSF application process
To mobilise EUSF the affected state takes the initiative by submitting a formal application to the Commission within 12 weeks of the initial damage.
The Commission then reviews the application and, if approved, proposes the mobilisation of aid to the European Parliament and the European Council. Their approval is required before the aid can be disbursed. Once the funds are available in the EU’s budget, the Commission awards the aid to the affected country in a single instalment.
Applications and success rate
The EUSF is demand driven instrument as it is impossible to predict the variety, frequency and magnitude of disaster. Since its inception in 2002, the EUSF has received 180 applications, including those for health emergencies.
Of these, 129 were successful, 47 were rejected and 4 were withdrawn. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to an increase in accepted applications, indicating the EUSF's responsiveness to an evolving landscape of disasters. These statistics reflect the Fund's ability to make a meaningful difference in the face of disaster, supporting those who need it most.
Examples of EUSF support
A compelling example of EUSF support is the Fund’s response to the devastating earthquakes in Croatia in 2020 and 2021, which caused damage worth over EUR 17 billion. The EUSF provided more than EUR 1 billion to aid Croatia's recovery, supplemented with support from other EU funds.
The Fund contributed to rebuilding infrastructure, schools, universities, hospitals and cultural heritage sites. It financed part of the reconstruction of Zagreb Cathedral, the Sisters of Charity hospital, faculties at the University of Zagreb and the Dr Ivan Merz Primary School in Zagreb. In addition, it provided temporary housing in the Sisak-Moslavina county.
Zagreb’s Merkur Clinical Hospital, which serves a population of 450 000 people, also benefited. Thanks to EUSF support, patients once again have a modern, safe and energy-efficient hospital.
Another exemplary case is the reconstruction of the Sisak Secondary School. This school is a cultural heritage site built in the 19th century, and located near the epicentre of the December 2020 earthquake. EU Solidarity Fund support allowed 320 students to start the 2023-24 school year in a renovated building.
Other examples illustrate the EUSF's remarkable assistance in times of crisis:
The significance of EUSF
The EUSF is more than a fund — it is a symbol of EU solidarity and care in difficult times with states affected by natural disasters and health emergencies. Through its financial support, the Fund extends a hand of solidarity to those in need, offering hope and relief in times of crisis. However, increasing frequency and gravity of disasters have demonstrated some limitations of the EUSF. Therefore, the Commission is reflecting how to amend the EUSF in order for the Fund to continue playing its role also in the future in the EU tool box to mitigate the occurrence and impact of disasters.
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The EU Solidarity Fund is a concrete demonstration of European solidarity in action. Since its creation, it has delivered effective assistance and relief to millions of people during difficult times.
