The European Commission is allocating 21 million euros (about P1.19 billion) to support communities affected by disasters, conflicts, and the pandemic in some Asian nations, including the Philippines—which will get over half of the funding, the European Delegation in Manila announced Saturday.
“Typhoon Rai (Odette) has been a painful reminder that countries in Southeast Asia are experiencing first-hand the dramatic consequences of climate change,” European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said in a statement.
“This is why the EU is further stepping up its humanitarian support to the most vulnerable affected by natural hazards in the Philippines, Nepal, and the region,” Lenarcic added.
“We also support those affected by protracted conflict in the Philippines, while further investing into the preparation and response to the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
Of the total funding, 10 million euros (P570 million) in humanitarian assistance will be given to the victims of Odette, which devastated several parts of the country last December.
About 1.5 million euros (P85 million), on the other hand, will support communities affected by the protracted conflict in the country, as well as assist in the government’s response efforts against the coronavirus.
The remaining 9.5 million euros (P541 million) will target disaster preparedness and contingency response plans in Nepal and other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officials led by Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. met local leaders in the provinces of Surigao, Surigao Del Norte, and Maasin, Southern Leyte and gave financial assistance to communities devastated by Odette last month.
The MMDA officials turned over the financial assistance donated by the Metro Manila Council through MMC Resolution 21-31 (s. 2021). The MMC released the fund from the savings of the MMDA to extend assistance to the affected areas.
The Council, composed of the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region, is the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA.
Abalos said the cash assistance aims to provide funds to help those areas in their rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts from the severe damage inflicted by Odette.
In December, Metro Manila mayors agreed to release P100 million to help local government units affected by the typhoon.
Abalos said they opted to provide financial aid to help out typhoon-affected LGUs with their efforts to recover from the severe damage inflicted by Odette, instead of relief goods because it is difficult to transport in and out of the localities hit by the typhoon and several flights remain canceled.
“Affected LGUs are in the best position to decide how the fund can provide for the immediate needs of their constituents. We hope this aid will somehow alleviate the plight of the typhoon victims,” said Abalos.
The MMDA had also deployed personnel to assist in the disaster response operations in areas that suffered severe devastation wrought by the typhoon.
The EU said this latest aid for the Philippines would prioritize the most vulnerable, conflict-affected communities in Mindanao in need of food assistance, protection, emergency livelihood, health, water, sanitation, nutrition services, and emergency shelters.
The EU funds projects that focus on enhancing community resilience and disaster preparedness capacities in countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Since 1996, the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, has provided more than 153.5 million euros (P8.75 billion) in humanitarian
funding to Manila.