91997E2440

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2440/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Compensation for damage caused by flooding in Corinth

Last winter the City of Corinth experienced widespread flooding, resulting in the loss of human life and the destruction of some people's entire property: the damage caused was indescribable and was aggravated by the City's virtually non-existent sewage network and by the lack of town planning.

Immediately after making an inventory of the damage, the Greek authorities announced that they would be granting compensation to the victims.

Will the Commission say:

1. has any provision been made by the EU to compensate people who lost their property in this disaster?

2. if so, how much compensation has been provided for?

3. has this compensation finally been paid to the victims?

4. is it aware how much compensation has been granted by the Greek authorities and does it consider it commensurate with the scale of the disaster?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1997)

The Commission would like to express its wholehearted sympathy for the victims of the floods which hit Corinth last winter.

As the budget heading for 'Emergency aid to disaster victims in the Community' has been given only a token entry in the Community budget for the second year running, the Community does not have the appropriations needed to grant aid of this type.

Furthermore, the Commission would point out that the aim of Community action on this front has never been to compensate victims for damage caused by a disaster, but rather to demonstrate Community solidarity with those of its citizens affected by disasters of exceptional gravity and scale.