European Parliament approves €261.5 million for Portugal’s storm recovery

The European Parliament approved €261.5 million for Portugal’s recovery from this year’s storms on 21 October. Postal reported 651 votes in favour, 17 against and three abstentions.

The European Union Solidarity Fund support is intended to restore essential energy, water, wastewater, communications, transport, health and education infrastructure. Temporary accommodation, rescue operations and clean-up work also fall within its scope.

Portugal has already received a €65.37 million advance, roughly one quarter of the allocation. MEP Hélder Sousa Silva called for the remaining support to reach affected communities quickly.

Storms Kristin, Leonardo and Marta caused extensive damage, particularly in Centro, Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, and Alentejo. The budget committee had approved assistance on 12 October; the new development is the plenary vote.

The allocation does not mean every affected household automatically receives an equal cash payment. It is directed at disaster recovery, and the report does not say the full amount has already been transferred.

The storms affected businesses and public facilities as well as housing. The MEP’s statement reported by Postal refers to 19 deaths, hundreds of people injured or displaced, and damage exceeding €5 billion.

Following flooding and interruptions to electricity, water and communications, restoring essential services is central to the funding. Protection of cultural heritage and measures to secure dangerous infrastructure can also qualify. The recovery effort therefore extends beyond repairing individual buildings.