Written question – Immediate support for Chios due to fires – E-002517/2025

Question for written answer  E-002517/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Georgios Aftias (PPE)

Since the afternoon of Sunday 22 June 2025, three fires have broken out on Chios and are spreading throughout the island due to strong winds. Over the last few hours – despite the brave efforts of the fire brigade – the fires have been reigniting, resulting in 17 settlements being evacuated for safety reasons and many areas of the island being without electricity and access to basic supplies. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in the last 48 hours in Greece, firefighters have been called to deal with 110 fires in various areas of the country.

Given the above:

• 1.Will the European Solidarity Fund be activated to compensate those affected by the fires and does the Commission intend to finance the establishment of a European fire brigade to assist the Mediterranean countries affected by the fires?
• 2.Does the Commission intend to provide more resources to Member States so that they can acquire the means and personnel to prevent and extinguish fires?
• 3.Will those affected by the fires be compensated within 12 weeks, as the Commissioner responsible for Cohesion and Reforms recently announced in response to a question I asked?

Submitted: 23.6.2025