site.btaEC Offers EUR 2.2 Mln of Financial Aid to Bulgaria Following Natural Disasters

Brussels, May 31 (BTA) - On Thursday the European Commission (EC) proposed 2.2 million euro from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to Bulgaria following last year's storms and floods in Bourgas Region (on the Black Sea), the EC said in a press release.

On October 25 and 26, 2017, this region experienced intense rainfall and violent storms that damaged bridges and roads as well as hospitals and schools, the EC recalls. The 2.2 million euro can help alleviate the costs linked to repairing essential public infrastructure.

EU Member States hit by a natural disaster can request different kinds of short and longer term EU support. Money from the EUSF can be requested to support long-term reconstruction efforts and cover some of the costs of emergency services, temporary accommodation, clean-up operations and the protection of cultural heritage, in order to relieve the financial burden borne by national authorities in the wake of natural disasters.

Thursday's proposal for EUSF assistance now has to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council. The funding will reach Bulgaria shortly afterwards, the press release reads.