Opening the Plenary Session, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that the flooding in Emilia-Romagna brought out the best of people. "We will help you rebuild," she said.
A few weeks ago, Europe was hit by floods that brought the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna to its knees.
At least 15 people lost their lives and more than 30 000 were forced to evacuate their homes.
Seven months’ worth of rainfall descended in just two weeks, causing 23 rivers across the region to burst their banks. Four hundred landslides were recorded in the area and 43 municipalities were flooded. Homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure suffered major damage.
But the disaster also brought out the best in people: we saw rescue workers putting their lives on the line for perfect strangers, neighbours coming together.
The EU has activated its civil protection mechanism, and Italy will request aid from the EU Solidarity Fund.
We will continue to offer increasing support. And, to the people of Emilia-Romagna, let me say this once again: we stand by you, we will stand by you, and we will help you get back on your feet. Because you are Europe.
You can read the President's speech in Italian here.