EU releases over €1.25 million (Php 85 M) in humanitarian aid to respond to typhoons in the Philippines
EU-funded partners have also used existing EU funds for disaster preparedness and anticipatory actions to provide cash assistance and first response.
This new funding comes in addition to the €8.5 million (Php 578.6 M) already allocated this year in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness to the Philippines. This included €1.3M (Php 88.50 M) allocated in response to tropical cyclones that affected the country in July and late September, and the €1.2 (Php 85 M) in response to earthquakes in Cebu and Davao.
Background
The EU funding is being made available via the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) department of the European Commission. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters around the world every year, providing assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.
The European Union is signatory to a €16 million (Php 1.09 B) agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF, which can then be replenished by the donors.
For more information:
https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/index_en
https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/asia-and-pacific/philippines_en