PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTORAL PROGRAMME: Malta applies for financial aid from the European Union following damage[...]

The Maltese Government has submitted an application for financial assistance from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) following the extensive damage the country suffered as a result of Storm Harry.

The storm brought with it strong gale-force winds and heavy waves, causing widespread damage to public infrastructure, coastal areas, agricultural land, and even essential services. The severity of the storm required emergency services, particularly the intervention of the Civil Protection Department and other entities called to assist with numerous incidents across Malta and Gozo.

The application submitted by the Maltese Government includes a comprehensive and verified report of the damage caused across various sectors of the country. The application process was carried out through coordination between Government Ministries, public entities, and the private sector. This coordinated effort made it possible to identify and quantify the damage, which was then documented in accordance with EUSF regulations.
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According to the Maltese Government's estimates, the damage caused by Storm Harry amounts to approximately €128 million. Under the rules of the European Union Solidarity Fund, for a country to qualify for assistance, the damage must not be less than €121 million. Malta's application will now be formally evaluated by the European Commission, which will assess its compliance with the Fund's rules and determine the level of financial assistance that may be granted.

The documentation compiled for the application is a clear example of how a collective effort between the government and stakeholders can achieve a common national objective. In this case, Malta is presenting a detailed case in line with the criteria and limitations established by EUSF regulations. Through evidence and sectoral analysis, the report confirms the severity and impact of the storm on the country.

The submission of this application is the first step in a structured process through which the European Commission will assess what level of support can be provided to our country. This fund is the European Union's main instrument for supporting Member States following major natural disasters. European assistance complements the Government's efforts by providing financial support targeted at essential recovery actions following such disasters.

Commenting on the application, the Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, said: "This application demonstrates the government's active engagement with European support structures. It also reflects a coordinated national effort in which government entities and the private sector worked together to ensure that all damage caused by Storm Harry was assessed and documented. This application marks the beginning of a process. It will involve ongoing engagement with the European Commission and stakeholders while the application is being evaluated to determine what level of support Malta will receive. This is not an automatic allocation of funds, but a necessary and structured step to ensure that Malta receives the support it is entitled to following this natural disaster."

The European Commission will now commence its evaluation of Malta's application, after which it will decide on Malta's eligibility and the level of funding to be granted.