THE European Union announced on Friday, Oct. 3, that it allocated €800,000 (over P54 million) in humanitarian aid to assist Filipinos affected by tropical cyclones in recent weeks.
In a statement, the EU said that the donation was a response to the series of tropical cyclones and intensifying monsoon rains across the Philippines.
“The funding will help address the most urgent needs of people in the hardest hit areas, including communities that are also affected by conflict,” the statement read.
“This allocation will be used to provide emergency relief in areas such as shelter, health, and water and sanitation,” it added.
The EU also pledged to monitor the humanitarian situation on the ground after the 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
“The EU expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and stand ready to provide additional support pending on-going needs assessment,” it said.
The new funding comes in addition to the €6.5 million already allocated this year in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness to the Philippines.
This includes €500 000 earmarked in response to a previous series of tropical cyclones that affected the country in July.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the EU ambassador to the Philippines, Massimo Santoro and the EU Humanitarian Aid in the Asia-Pacific pledged to help meet urgent needs following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu.
