BOLOGNA (dpa-AFX) – EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised Italy the solidarity and support of the EU during her visit to the areas affected by the devastating floods. “I am here to send a clear message: Europe is with you,” she said at Bologna airport on Thursday. After the severe storms, it is now a matter of supporting the Emilia-Romagna region with the clean-up work. In view of the high damage, there was also talk of financial support. Von der Leyen mentioned the EU Solidarity Fund, but also the Cohesion Fund.
The help that some EU countries have already provided by supplying pump systems is a positive example of European solidarity. Together with Italy, preventive measures will now be taken to prevent such serious damage in the future, for example by strengthening the infrastructure.
Together with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the President of the Emilia-Romagna region, Stefano Bonaccini, the EU Commission President had previously flown over the affected area in an Italian Air Force helicopter. “It’s heartbreaking to see the flooded areas,” she said. She thanked the many helpers, the “angels in the mud”, who are involved in the clean-up work.
Meanwhile, the situation in Emilia-Romagna remains tense. After the devastating floods and a total of more than 300 landslides, around 20,000 people who were evacuated are still holding out and cannot return to their homes. At least 15 people were killed. To be on the safe side, civil defense also declared the highest alert level for Friday. More storms are expected in the coming days./rme/DP/jha