Funding to restore damage to the historic Myrina Castle and compensate the inhabitants of Limnos for losses caused by extreme weather conditions

The heavy rainfall which hit the island of Limnos recently flooded homes, shops and businesses, causing damage of EUR 500 000.

According to the Inspectorate of Antiquities in Lesbos, a large part of the wall of the historic Myrina Castle collapsed on to the path from the entrance to the church of Agia Paraskevi and visitors have been prohibited from using it as it is now extremely dangerous. The section which collapsed is about 20 m long and 8 m high and the rubble has covered the path below along a section about 20 m long.

At the same time, a large part of Myrina Castle is unsafe and this problem has been exacerbated by the heavy rainfall which hit the island.

According to the Ministry of Culture, it is the largest stronghold in the Aegean.

In view of the above, will the Commission say what funds it intends to release and to what timetable for the purpose of:

Source: European Parliament

Joint answer given by Ms Creţu on behalf of the Commission

The EU Solidarity Fund may award financial assistance to Member States affected by serious natural disasters. It can only be mobilised upon application from the national authorities within 12 weeks of the occurrence of the disaster. Moreover, the Fund may intervene if total direct damage exceeds 0.6% of gross national income at national level (for Greece currently EUR 1.091 billion). For smaller, regional disasters, the threshold is 1.5% of regional GDP. The threshold for the North Aegean region of which Limnos is a part is EUR 45.1 million. Leros belongs to the South Aegean region with a threshold of EUR 106.1 million. Should Greece submit an application in time and the damage exceed the threshold the Solidarity Fund could contribute, among other things, towards the cost of the rescue services, the reconstruction of essential infrastructure, assistance to the population and the protection of the cultural heritage. The reconstruction of cultural heritage assets, the compensation of private losses and preventive measures are however not eligible.

As regards the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) for 2014-2020 period, the Greek authorities have allocated resources for small-scale cultural interventions, under the thematic objective ‘Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management’ of the regional programme of ‘North Aegean’. Climate change and risk prevention measures, including the anti-flood ones are provided by both the regional programmes and the national programme ‘Transport, Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development’. Interventions supported by the ESIF should be in line with the national planning for adaptation to climate change and prevention and management of risks.

Source: European Parliament