EU pledges additional €20-M aid for Yolanda victims
A Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivor carries his belongings through the ruins of Tacloban City on his way back to his temporary shelter Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday pledged an additional €20 million for the benefit of communities worst hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”
“The very first days were extremely hard for the victims: no food, no water, no electricity, no telecommunications. The overall situation is gradually improving, but the challenges ahead remain huge. We remain fully committed to bringing relief to those most affected,” said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, in a statement.
Georgieva earlier visited the typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas to assess the impact of the devastation and to meet with Philippine officials.
The additional support brings the Commission’s assistance to affected communities to €40 million.
Humanitarian aid worth €10 million was immediately released by the EC after the typhoon while another €10 million was later allocated for the reconstruction and recovery of the communities. European Union (EU) member states also sent relief goods and humanitarian assistance workers.
EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said that the recent pledge makes Europe the largest source of grant assistance to the Philippines.
“We stand ready to share experiences from Europe and our involvement in other reconstruction efforts around the world with the Philippines authorities. Lessons from Yolanda need to be learned and best practices need to be developed for the benefit of the whole of the Philippines, in order to make the country more resilient to future disasters, and help its adaption to climate change,” said Ledoux.
He said the EC supports plans to relocate communities away from danger areas and to build better infrastructures.
“The European Union is committed to provide support during the coming years and provide financial assistance including the provision of loans and the best technical know-how we can mobilize in a transparent and accountable manner,” he added.
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