European Union vows €1 million for Typhoon Vamco efforts
MANILA – The European Union (EU) today promised to provide €1.05 million or about P60 million in humanitarian aid funding to dispense emergency relief assistance to families severely affected by typhoon Vamco.
Locally known as “Ulysses”, it is the most recent of succeeding weather disturbances to impact on a large portion of the Philippine archipelago, particularly the densely populated main island of Luzon including the National Capital Region which was inundated by floods.
“The EU is scaling up its humanitarian assistance in the Philippines in response to the devastating typhoons that have hit the country over the past month,” said Arlynn Aquino, who oversees the EU’s humanitarian response in the Philippines.
She said the additional contribution will help to get much-needed aid to the most vulnerable people to help them cope with the current crisis after a relatively strong typhoon Goni (known locally as ‘Rolly’) struck in early November. It has affected more than 440,0000 who fled their homes and sought shelter elsewhere including school buildings used as evacuation centres.
The funding will support humanitarian aid partners, those on the ground to provide shelter, food, health care and access to clean water, safe sanitation, good hygiene and other vital needs.
The funding is part of EU’s Acute Large Emergency Response Tool (ALERT).
Incidentally, the Chinese government decided to donate three million Renminbi or P22 million to the Philippine government to address the requirements of the typhoon victims.
In a statement released late Friday afternoon, the Chinese Embassy said the Philippines and China stand together as “trusted friends” in the face of difficulties.
Earlier, the Chinese Embassy already donated relief goods worth one million Renminbi or P7.3 million to help victims of Typhoon “Rolly” (International name – Goni) which has been distributed to affected residents of Albay. They will also bring relief goods to Catanduanes next week. (Melo M. Acuña)
EU's Arlynn Aquino said the €1.05 million will go a long way in assisting the thousands of victims of the successive natural calamities. (Contributed Photos)
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