EU sends one of the first emergency assistance to help typhoon victims

European Union to earmarks €1.3 million for “Goni” victims

MANILA – The European Union has prepared € 1.3 million or P63 million to deliver emergency relief assistance to families seriously affected by super typhoon Goni which brought unimaginable difficulties over densely populated regions in Luzon.

“This contribution will support the Filipino people via our humanitarian partners on the group who are providing critical support to those hit hardest by Goni. It will not only cover the immediate needs of the most affected livelihoods so they can get back on their feed as soon as possible. The EU stands in solidarity with those affected in the Philippines,” said Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management.

In a statement, the EU said they learned over two million Filipinos in five regions have been affected by the typhoon with more than 500,000 people forced out of their homes, seeking shelter, food and livelihood assistance, access to clean water and health care.

The funding forms part of the EU’s Acute Large Emergency Response Tool (ALERT).

Said to be the strongest weather disturbance to hit the Philippines since typhoon Haiyan in November 8,2013, Goni, although known locally as Rolly, made landfall in the early hours of Sunday in Catanduanes Province, the country’s eastern-most island in the Bicol region with sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour. With most parts of heavily-hit areas remain inaccessible and assessments underway, the real scale of the damage is still unclear.

The initial assessments suggest up to 90% of homes in Virac town in Catanduanes within the storm’s path, have either been damaged or destroyed. Power outages have been reported as well as disruptions in communications have continued with exception of limited mobile facilities from Smart and Globe.

An EU humanitarian aid expert has been assigned to the affected areas to assess the situation and requirements.

According to the EU statement, the acute large emergency response tool (ALERT) is used to respond to large natural disasters where over 100,000 people or over 50% of the population are affected. Depending on the type of disaster, the aim is to allocate funds within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the emergency. (Melo M. Acuña)

Slovenian Diplomat Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management. (European Commission Photo)