In May, Italy was affected by one of the most serious climate-related disasters in its history. Emilia-Romagna and part of Marche region suffered from heavy rains that resulted in a series of floods affecting more than 40 cities and towns and causing about 400 landslides.  

After months of droughts, which caused soil sealing, the same amount of rain which usually falls in seven months fell in two weeks and, in some areas, almost half of the annual average rain fell in 36 hours.  

17 people died and about 50,000 were evacuated. Many saw their houses severely damaged and their belongings taken away by water, while local businesses suffered serious losses. In some areas, the water is still far from retreating and authorities are monitoring the risk of epidemics. 

While the immediate emergency response is coordinated by the Italian Civil Protection, many local organisations and groups of citizens are actively working to help those in need and start repairing the damages. The founders and donors of the EU Staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future, an EU Staff for Climate initiative, feel called to give a contribution as well. 

The fund team intends to dedicate the next round of donations to help citizens and organisations to recover from this terrible disaster. 

This is not the first time the fund supports people affected by climate-related disasters in Europe. In the summer of 2021, heavy floods affected Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and a special fundraiser was set up. In just a few weeks, colleagues from all EU institutions donated 115,000 euros. The donations went to 11 beneficiaries in Belgium and Germany, including schools, social centres and a food bank. See here for the full list of the beneficiaries and how the fund helped them.  

The fund’s partner, the King Baudouin Foundation is already in contact with its Italian partners to identify organisations needing support. The team will focus in particular on: 

• emergency and recovery operations 
• supporting the most vulnerable people or organisations working with them (including associations, schools, cooperatives and social enterprises) 
• where possible, projects with a low environmental impact, or a positive environmental impact 

All the money collected in May and June for the EU Staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future will go to support the flood response in Italy.  

Please donate now and invite your colleagues to do so. Any donation counts to alleviate the hardship experienced by the people in Italy.  

However, the initiative against climate related disasters will not stop there. This year, the consequences of weather disruption originated by climate change are heavily felt in other European regions as well. Spain, Portugal and France are experiencing serious droughts, and forest fires are already ripping through several areas. In the light of this, the whole summer the team will be monitoring the situation and will dedicate the money collected to help the affected populations address the consequences of these unprecedented disasters. 

We count on your support to help us show the collective solidarity of EU staff towards the people of Europe.