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Commission to boost humanitarian
funding for victims of South Asia earthquake by €10
million
Following on from its initial allocation of €3.6
million, the European Commission has earmarked a further
€10 million for the victims of the South Asia
earthquake. The funds will cover the most urgent needs
including food, drinking water, shelter and medical aid.
The support is being channelled through the Commission’s
Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) which comes under the
responsibility of Louis Michel, the Commissioner for
Development and Humanitarian Aid.
“I was so shocked by the scale of this latest natural
disaster that I made sure that the European Commission
could provide immediate assistance for the victims.”
said Mr Michel. “Our partners in the field are working
flat out to meet the basic needs of those affected. It
is a race against time. The Commission is concerned to
ensure that the aid is delivered as fast as possible,
even to the most isolated villages.”
The first €3.6 million, allocated by the Commission on
the day after the tragedy, responded to immediate
humanitarian needs. Further evaluations have since been
undertaken and the €10 million in new funding will
target the following sectors: food, drinking water,
shelters appropriate to the region’s harsh winter
climate, medical materials/medicines, hygiene kits,
kitchen utensils, warm clothing, blankets, shoes and
psychosocial support for children. Further funding may
be allocated in the future as details about the scale of
the needs become clearer.
More information
http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm
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