The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has partnered with We the Italians (a media company promoting news about Italy and Italy in the United States) to launch a relief fund to assist the people affected by the devastating historic flooding in Emilia-Romagna, a region located in the northeastern part of Italy, that occurred earlier this month.

Torrential rain over a short period of time caused more than 20 rivers to burst their banks, causing landslides and towns to be submerged in water, according to the civil protection agency. Known as one of Italy’s most abundant agricultural regions, the widespread floods have claimed numerous lives and more than 36,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.

“NIAF is proud to establish the relief fund for Emilia-Romagna, our 2023 Region of Honor (a program that partners with one of Italy’s 20 regions every year to showcase its history, culture, business, and tourism in the United States), as they recover from the worst flood in a century,” said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President. “Our Foundation is committed to helping rebuild and restore hope to the victims of the floods,” added Allegrini.  

President Stefano Bonaccini and Regional Councilor for Mobility and Transport, Infrastructure, Tourism, and Commerce Andrea Corsini of Emilia-Romagna offered their sincere gratitude for the relief fund: “In this difficult moment, it is important to feel NIAF’s closeness. The people of Emilia-Romagna are strong and tenacious. We will get back on our feet as always.”

Umberto Mucci, the Founder and CEO of We the Italians, said, “We are grateful to NIAF for the help it has always given to Italy, and we urge all We the Italians readers to donate as much as they can to help the exceptional people of Emilia- Romagna overcome this tragedy,” said Mucci. “Personally, my family's roots are in this beautiful region, which I admire and love with all my heart,” added Mucci.  

When tragedies and natural disasters occur in Italy, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), through the Italian American Relief, is an immediate responder to fund relief efforts for those in need. Over the years, NIAF has collaborated with other Italian American organizations, the Embassy of Italy, and the U.S. State Department to fund relief projects after the 2002, 2009, 2012, and 2016 earthquakes that struck Puglia, Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. In 2019, NIAF launched a campaign after the November flooding in Venice, the second-worst flooding in the city’s recorded history.

Please visit this www.italianamericanrelief.org to donate to the NIAF relief efforts, where the funds will be directed to Protezione Civile of Emilia-Romagna, the official civil protection agency responsible for coordinating emergency response and recovery efforts.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.