Photo Courtesy: President Communication Office
The European Union (EU) has released €750,000, or about ₱50.8 million, in humanitarian aid to assist communities affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu last week.
In a statement, the EU said the funding will support emergency relief operations for displaced families, including the provision of temporary shelter, clean water, and sanitation.
“The European Union expresses its solidarity with the people affected by the earthquake,” the EU Delegation said, adding that it continues to monitor the situation “for possible further assistance.”
Of the total aid package, €250,000 (₱16.9 million) will go to the Philippine Red Cross to provide cash assistance, tents, household items, and healthcare services to affected families.
The funding is part of the EU’s contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund.
The latest allocation brings the EU’s total humanitarian aid to the Philippines this year to €7.3 million (₱495 million), including €1.3 million (₱88 million) in assistance for areas hit by typhoons in July and September.
The aid will be delivered through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the EU’s disaster response arm based in Brussels.
“With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year,” the statement said.
The Cebu earthquake, which struck off the province’s northern coast on September 30, left 75 people dead and displaced thousands.
The EU said it remains ready to provide additional support as authorities assess the impact of a separate 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Davao Oriental.
About the Author
