According to statistics since 2008 over 318 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced by floods, windstorms, earthquakes or droughts, 30.7 million in 2020 alone. This is equivalent to one person being displaced every second. Depending on the frequency and scale of the major natural disasters occurring, there are significant fluctuations in the total number of displaced people from one year to the next, yet the trend over recent decades has been a growing one. Many find refuge within their own country, but some are forced to go abroad. In this podcast, we’ll talk about ‘climate refugees’, a concept that remains unclear despite the rising number of people forcibly displaced because of climate disasters.

EPRS policy podcast - The concept of 'climate refugee': Towards a possible definition

Flooding, heatwaves and droughts are the most common natural disasters in the EU, but millions of people also live in areas at risk of earthquakes or near active volcanos. So it’s good to know that when disaster strikes, the EU is there to help.

This is what Europe does for residents in disaster stricken regions

<p>EP President Metsola made&nbsp;a statement at the opening of the February session, followed by a full debate on the emergency humanitarian aid the EU can provide to Türkiye and Syria after the catastrophic earthquake, which cost the lives of more than 30 000&nbsp;people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.</p>

<p>Turkey has been candidate for EU membership since 1999. Accession negotiations started in 2005. In recent years the EU is often criticizing the backsliding of the country in certain areas. As a major emerging economy and a member of NATO and G20, Türkiye&nbsp;is recognised as an active regional foreign policy player, with a strategic location, including for the EU's energy security. Turkey is a key strategic partner of the EU on issues such as migration, security, counter-terrorism, and the economy, but according to the EU has been backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law and fundamental right.</p>

EU - Türkiye

DEVE Committee - The humanitarian situation following the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria - Exchange of views with Janez LENARCIC, Commissioner for Crisis Management

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)(action taken)

Order of business

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)

REPowerEU chapters in recovery and resilience plans (debate)

Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in European Parliament elections - Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in municipal elections (debate)

EU funding allocated to NGOs incriminated in the recent corruption revelations and the protection of EU financial interests (debate)

Following up on measures requested by Parliament to strengthen the integrity of European institutions (debate)

Union Secure Connectivity Programme 2023-2027 (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Opening of the sitting

Announcement of voting results: see Minutes

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 October 2021 (debate)

UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the UK (COP26)

First voting session (continuation)

UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the UK (COP26) (continuation of debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Sakharov Prize 2021 (announcement of winner)

The rise of right-wing extremism and racism in Europe (in light of recent events in Rome) (debate)

Composition of committees and delegations 

An EU strategy to reduce methane emissions (debate)

The first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland (debate)

Increased efforts to fight money laundering (debate)

Global Tax Agreements to be endorsed at the G20 Summit in Rome, 30th/31st of October (debate)

Announcement of voting results

Global Tax Agreements to be endorsed at the G20 Summit in Rome, 30th/31st of October

Second voting session

Pushbacks at the EU&#39;s external border (debate)

The humanitarian situation in Haiti following the recent earthquake

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

Closure of the sitting 

Mitigating the consequences of earthquakes in Croatia (debate)

The gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period - The EU Strategy for Gender Equality - Closing the digital gender gap: women’s participation in the digital economy (debate)

First voting session

The gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period - The EU Strategy for Gender Equality - Closing the digital gender gap: women’s participation in the digital economy (continuation of debate)

The crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong

Human rights situation in Turkey, notably the case of Selahattin Demirtas and other prisoners of conscience

Human rights situation in Vietnam, in particular the case of human rights journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan

Composition of political groups : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the part-session and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes: see Minutes

Adjournment of the session 

The European Union Solidarity Fund: an assessment - Situation in Italy after the earthquakes (debate)

Situation in Nepal after the earthquakes

Situation in Haiti one year after the earthquake: humanitarian aid and reconstruction

Situation in Haiti one year after the earthquake: humanitarian aid and reconstruction (debate)

Recent earthquake in Haiti (debate)

Earthquake in the Abruzzo Region of Italy (debate)

EP Plenary session - EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

EP Plenary session - The humanitarian situation in Haiti following the recent earthquake

EP plenary session.- Mitigating the consequences of earthquakes in Croatia

Official visit of the President of the European Parliament to Italy. The depot of Santo Chiodo, near Spoleto, hosts 4500 cultural, librarian and historical assets from 82 different sites and buildings hit by the 2016 earthquake in Central Italy.

Visit of the President of the European Parliament to Norcia. The depot of Santo Chiodo, near Spoleto, hosts 4500 cultural, librarian and historical assets from 82 different sites and buildings hit by the 2016 earthquake in Central Italy.

60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome celebrations -  Visit to the historical city centre affected by earthquake.

European Parliament President Antonio TAJANI entering in the COC of Camerino with the mayor Gianluca PASQUI (L) and the Regional Councillor Mastrovincenzo (R), on 19th of February 2017, Camerino, Italy.

EP President Antonio TAJANI visit to the regions affected by the earthquakes in Italy

Plenary session week 37 2016 in Strasbourg

EU and Italian flags at half mast following the earthquake in Italy

Plenary session week 24 2015 in Strasbourg  Situation in Nepal after the earthquakes

DEVE Committee meeting on ' Humanitarian response to the earthquake in Nepal '

MEP s vote on the dollowing topics: Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures - Spyraki; Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Romania and Italy in relation to natural disasters in 2022 and to Türkiye in relation to the earthquakes in February 2023 - Cseh; Segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education - Motion for resolution; Harmonising the rights of autistic persons - Motion for resolution; Standardised dimensions for carry-on luggage - Motion for resolution; EU-Switzerland relations - Mandl; Uzbekistan - Kyuchyuk.

Voting session

Roberta MESOLA, EP President, gives her introductory remarks during the plenary session in Strasbourg on the Morroco earthquake. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session: introductory remark by Roberta MESOLA, EP President on the Morocco earthquake

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: MEPs debate

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. A massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Extracts from the opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, minute of silence and announcements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU´s response to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria: extracts from the debate

MEPs debate with the Commission the EU’s emergency and humanitarian response to the catastrophic earthquake. On 6th of February, a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit near the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed by a magnitude 7.6 aftershock later the same day. International estimates suggest the devastation caused by the earthquake could claim up to 20 000 lives. It has destroyed tens of thousands of buildings in the region, and left hundreds of thousands without a home. Opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives her opening statement on the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence before the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence

One person is displaced every second every year due to climate hazards and the figure is set to double by 2050. The lack of a legal definition to describe people who are forced to move for environmental reasons is of particular concern, as it leaves them in legal limbo and this needs to be addressed urgently. Since 2008 over 318 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced by floods, windstorms, earthquakes or droughts, 30.7 million in 2020 alone. This is equivalent to one person being displaced every second. Many find refuge within their own country, but some are forced to go abroad. In the summer of 2021, Europe witnessed heavy and unprecedented flooding, particularly in Belgium and Germany, and heat domes in the Mediterranean region. Scientists relate this directly to climate change. All things considered, the number of 'climate refugees' looks set to rise.

EPRS - Climate refugees

Statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography on the aid for Croatia in the aftermath of earthquakes during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021). A resolution is put to the vote the same day.

Mitigating the consequences of earthquakes in Croatia: Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

This infoclip illustrates the help from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism which was activated to assist Croatia in the aftermath of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, following a request for assistance from Croatian authorities on 29 December. On 30 December, Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner, visited Petrinja, one of the most affected towns.

Infoclip: EU assistance to Croatia after earthquake

The EU Solidarity Fund was set up in 2002 to respond to major natural disasters like wildfires, floods and earthquakes. It has responded to 76 disasters in 24 European countries with over €5 billion in aid.

The EU Solidarity Fund

During the plenary session (25-28 November 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, David SASSOLI, EP President makes a statement on the recent earthquake in Albania. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on the recent earthquake in Albania

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, opens the plenary session of the European Parliament (01-04/10/2018) in Strasbourg. He makes a statement on the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia that happened on 29 September. He also makes a statement about the violent attacks against some MEPs as Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), and Eleonora FORENZA (GUE/NGL, IT).  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

EP plenary session: introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President on the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia and minute of silence; and on the attacks against some MEPs (17:04 - 17:07)

During the Plenary session of January in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President addressed the assembly on the recent earthquake shocks in Italy and the avalanche that has submerged a hotel. He paid a tribute to the "Soccorso alpino della Guardia di finanza".

Statement by Antonio TAJANI, EP President on recent earthquake shocks in Italy and the avalanche that has submerged a hotel

This infoclip provides illustration images of the first European Solidarity Corps volunteers in action: young French woman Manon volunteering with the Danube Transnational Programme in Budapest, and a group of young volunteers participating in the project 'European Youth for Norcia', Italy. The volunteers help reconstruct historic buildings heavily damaged by earthquakes, and also do social and cultural work with the young and the elderly of Norcia

Infoclip: European Solidarity Corps - Budapest and Norcia

Visit of Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to Spoleto and of Desposito del Santo Chiodo&nbsp;, Italy. This visit is related to the earthquakes that stroke Italy.

Visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to Spoleto, Italy: extracts from the visit to Spoleto and visit of Desposito del Santo Chiodo

Visit of Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to Norcia, in Italy. Visit to the European Solidarity Corps projects (Cathedral, Sporting camp, Monastery). This visit is related to the earthquakes that stroke Italy.

Visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to Norcia, Italy: visit to the European Solidarity Corps projects (Cathedral, Sporting camp, Monastery)

On the occasion of their visit to Norcia, Italy, Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (04/09/2017) express themselves in front of the press. This visit is related to the earthquakes that stroke Italy.

Visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to Norcia, Italy (04/09/2017): extracts from the press point

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