EU allocates P327M more for areas hit by ‘Pablo’

MANILA, Philippines—The European Union has allocated 7 million euros (P372 million) in fresh funds to provide relief assistance for victims of Typhoon “Pablo,” which devastated parts of Mindanao three months ago and affected some six million people.

In a statement, the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (Echo) said the additional humanitarian aid raises to 10 million euros the EU’s commitment to help affected families in the disaster area.

“The humanitarian aid funding will fund repairs to houses damaged by the typhoon, food assistance, help address high levels of malnutrition, especially among children, and support the improvement of basic health services in the affected provinces,” said Echo in a statement.

Pablo (international name: Bopha) slammed into parts of Mindanao, causing widespread damage in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, the hardest hit provinces.

The United Nations estimates roughly a million people were displaced by the disaster and some 233,000 houses were destroyed. At least 1,100 people were reportedly killed in the ensuing floods and landslides and 830 remained missing.