The Government submitted to the European Commission a request under the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for total damages of more than 5.3 billion euros caused by the succession of storms that hit Portugal from 22 January to 15 February.

"Portugal was struck by extreme weather events with multiple hazards and an impact cascade. These events show the growing changes due to climate change" stressed the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion Castro Almeida in the request addressed to the European Commission on 13 April.

In the request, which was made under the "major disaster" category, it is recalled that in a short amount of time, Portugal was hit by seven storms (including storm Kristin), with winds upwards of 130 km/h, a record rainfall, rough seas, and major floods and landslides.

Events that caused "severe impact" with the destruction of houses and critical infrastructure (water, electricity and telecommunications), public services (ports, hospitals and schools), on economic activity, and cultural assets.

This application to the EUSF assistance is thereby to help fund the reconstruction of national and regional public infrastructure hit, as well as emergency interventions, namely for the populations and various infrastructures.

"Portugal was a reflection of the impact of climate change. It is necessary to prepare the territory and infrastructure for these events. As well as reconstruction, we are working towards making Portugal more resilient, Minister Castro Almeida assures.

The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion also claims that "European solidarity" will be one of the components for the reconstruction and resilience project the Government is committed to, even if under the regulations in force, it represents only a fraction of the investment and assistance we require".

The EUSF was set up to assist Member States hit by major natural disasters of public health emergencies and works as an inter-institutional solidarity facility to recover infrastructure and assist the populations.