The European Parliament on Wednesday approved €489 million in aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta, by 651 votes to 17, with three abstentions, the Parliament said in a statement brought in association with the European Parliament and reported by Agence Europe on October 22. The support is intended to help the countries recover from severe storms and flooding in January and February 2026.

Yaani — in easy terms: €489 million is about 48.9 crore euros. Portugal will receive the largest share, €261.5 million, including a €65.37 million advance already paid. Spain will receive €149.1 million, including a €37.26 million advance; Italy will receive €74.9 million; and Malta will receive €3.7 million, including an advance of about €931,000, according to the Parliament's breakdown.

Malta and Italy requested help after Storm Harry struck in January 2026, while Portugal and Spain did so after a series of storms caused severe flooding between January and February 2026, the Parliament said. In Portugal, the Commission's earlier proposal noted, severe storms triggered floods and landslides that caused 18 fatalities as well as major infrastructure damage and evacuations.

The EUSF support will help finance emergency and recovery measures such as restoring energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications and transport infrastructure, as well as health and education services where needed. It will also cover clean-up operations, temporary accommodation and rescue services, and measures to secure preventive infrastructure and protect cultural heritage, the Parliament said. Since its creation in 2002, the fund has provided more than €11 billion in aid — yaani more than 1,100 crore euros — in response to natural disasters and public health emergencies.

Sources: European Parliament statement via The European Sting, 'Parliament backs storm recovery aid for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta', October 21, 2026; Agence Europe, 'European Parliament approves €489 million to support Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal after floods', October 22, 2026; European Parliament Budgets Committee release on the proposed breakdown.