MANILA-- The European Union Delegation in Manila on Wednesday announced a total of €3 million in humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises in the Philippines.
At least €1 million was earmarked to consolidate disaster risk reduction and resilience-building initiatives in the country while the remaining €2 million was aimed to assist the most vulnerable people in Mindanao.
The Philippine funding is part of the total EU aid package worth €8.5 million for the region.
Of the package amount, €1.5 million will go to the victims of ongoing monsoons in India and Bangladesh. This support comes on top of €2 million allocated to support several regional disaster risk reduction initiatives in South and Southeast Asia and an additional €2 million, which will be dedicated to Nepal to improve both their national and local response capacities in the events of fire, floods and earthquakes, particularly in cities.
"The countries in South Asia are facing an increasingly worse monsoon season. Heavy rains and flooding have created a large-scale humanitarian situation in India and Bangladesh," Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said.
"During these difficult times, EU solidarity makes a difference: our support will reach those most in need of providing water, sanitation, and essential supplies. In the wider region, the EU is also supporting Nepal and the Philippines to be better prepared for natural disasters and get aid to those most in need,” he added.
Since 1998, the European Commission has invested over €88 million to fund disaster risk reduction and preparedness programs in South and Southeast Asia, supporting, among others, initiatives such as the building of flood-resistant infrastructures and the reinforcement of early warning systems. (PNA)
