Between late August 2016 and mid-January 2017, a series of earthquakes, of magnitudes ranging from 5.9 to 6.5 on the Richter scale, followed by many aftershocks, affected vast areas of the Apennines chain in central Italy, in particular the regions of Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche and Umbria.
They left 333 people dead and over 30.000 displaced and in need of assistance.
Infrastructure was severely damaged and businesses, including farms and tourism firms, were significantly affected.
MEPs approved nearly €1.2 billion in european aid to repair the damage caused by earthquakes in central Italy in 2016 and 2017.
Italy requested an advance payment of €30 million (the maximum possible amout) which was awarded by the European Commission and paid out in full.
“Today, on the day of the State of the Union and debate on the future of Europe, our vote is a strong signal that Europe is alive and its heart beats in the centre: in the centre of Italy – where fathers, mothers and children today have a reason more to feel European, and to tell the story of a Europe where no one is left behind and where we help each other. The story of a family!” said the european rapporteur.