EU commissioner for humanitarian aid here to visit Tacloban for 2nd time

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA. Philippines–European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva arrived in Manila Wednesday and is visiting typhoon-hit Tacloban for the second time.

Georgieva will meet with local government officials including Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla of Leyte and Mayors Alfred Romualdez (Tacloban), Remedios Petilla (Palo), and Pelajo Tecson Jr. (Tanauan) to assess first-hand the progress made in post-“Yolanda” recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

She will be joined by representatives of countries attending the Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Georgieva will also visit an EU-funded center in Barangay (village) Sirab in Dagami, Leyte, that assists affected children in recovering from trauma after Super Typhoon Yoland struck Eastern Visayas. This project is being implemented by the European NGO PLAN.

On Thursday, together with her Filipino hosts, Commissioner Georgieva will open and deliver an address at the AsemConference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. She will also meet with President Aquino to discuss how to further enhance the overall EU-Philippines relations.

Europe has responded generously to requests for assistance for post-Yolanda reconstruction programs. Funds to assist the affected communities by the European Union, its member states and private European donations now amount to €740 million (P44.4 billion).

Commissioner Georgieva will also witness the signing of a €30 million (PHP 1.8 Billion) financing agreement for the health sector reform, of which €10 million (PHP 600 million) is being made available for immediate reconstruction needs.