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Quake aid

May 20, 2009

Brussels has earmarked 500 million euros in aid to assist the quake-hit Italian city of L'Aquila. The decision comes as the region prepares for a G8 summit.

https://p.dw.com/p/Htnn
Map of Italy
The April earthquake hit L'Aquila the hardest, leaving tens of thousands homeless

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has backed plans to hold the Group of Eight summit in Italy's quake-hit city of L'Aquila, saying the event could boost the regional economy.

The endorsement came as European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU could provide Italy with nearly half a billion euros ($680 million) in aid for central parts of the country hit by the earthquake on April 6.

Barroso told a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that he was “moved” after a visit to L'Aquila. At the conference, Berlusconi also urged the bloc to display generosity.

The city was at the epicentre of the quake which killed 299 and left thousands homeless. The estimate of the damage has been confirmed to be around 10 billion euros.

According to Barroso, the money would come from the European Solidarity Fund.

nrt/dpa/Reuters/AP

Editor: Nick Amies