MEP Alex Agius Saliba urges EU to provide special funds to Malta after storm damage

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has called on the European Commission to provide special financial assistance to Malta in the wake of the severe storms that battered the islands over the past days, leaving behind widespread damage to property and infrastructure.

In a request submitted in recent hours, Agius Saliba urged the Commission to activate support mechanisms to help communities and individuals who were negatively affected by the extreme weather, arguing that Malta should benefit from European solidarity in times of crisis.

He said that while Maltese and Gozitan citizens, together with emergency services, are currently clearing debris and assessing what he described as “relatively significant” damage, the financial burden of repairs and rebuilding should not fall solely on local communities.

“At moments like these, the European Union should shoulder part of the burden and help ease the costs that come with such circumstances,” Agius Saliba said, adding that the Maltese and Gozitan people will need to repair and rebuild their properties and could benefit from every form of assistance available.

The MEP stressed that Malta should be treated in the same way as other EU member states that have received support following natural disasters, insisting that the country is equally entitled to solidarity mechanisms when faced with extreme weather events.

His call comes as authorities continue to evaluate the impact of the recent storms, which caused flooding, fallen trees, damaged structures and disruption to transport and essential services across several localities.