EUROPEAN COMMISSION - PRESS RELEASE
European Commission mobilises funds to help the
victims of tropical storm in the Philippines
Brussels, 20 December 2011 - The European Commission today announced the
allocation of €3 million to support the emergency response and provide relief to tens
of thousands of people affected in the aftermath of the tropical storm Washi, which
struck the southern Philippines, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The funds will be used primarily for debris clean-up, food assistance, temporary
shelters, medical assistance, water and sanitation and protection. Over 100,000
people in need of urgent assistance will benefit from funding.
The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) has activated the EU Civil Protection
Mechanism in order to advise Member States on the precise needs and to
coordinate their offers of civil protection assistance.
"Throughout the year the Philippines have been lashed by successive tropical
storms, typhoons and heavy rainfall.," said Kristalina Georgieva, the European
Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis
Response.
"While storms are a regular occurrence, the magnitude of Washi and the ferocity
with which it hit this part of the country were exceptional. Because tropical storms
are less frequent in the southern part of the country people were therefore less
prepared and that has magnified the size of this tragedy."
Experts from the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
department (ECHO) have visited the affected areas to assess where the
Commission's funding can make the greatest difference.
"The funding will bolster the efforts of humanitarian organizations who are working
hard to provide immediate assistance, " Commissioner Georgieva added. "In order
to ensure coordinated and effective EU action, we have also activated the Civil
Protection Mechanism to advise Member States and participating countries on what
is needed."
More than 335,000 people are affected in the region while the death toll has
climbed to 957. 42,733 people are living in 62 evacuation centers. Significant
damage has been caused to infrastructure and agriculture.
Background
Tropical storm Washi made landfall in the southern Philippines during the night of
17 December 2011, bringing heavy rainfalls and strong winds which resulted in
massive flooding and landslides in the Northern Mindanao area. Washi moved out
of Philippine territory on 19 December, leaving a trail of destruction behind it.
IP/11/1584
The Philippines have been badly affected by typhoons and floods this year and the
European Commission has already been able to provide €4.6 million of
humanitarian assistance, mainly after typhoons Nesat (local name: Pedring) and
Nagae (Quiel). The Commission has also been supporting community-based
disaster preparedness projects in the Philippines, allocating more than €5.6 million
over the past 6 years.
The Commission is a long-term provider of humanitarian assistance in South- East
Asia, where it brings relief to the victims of displacement, conflict and natural
disasters and where it advocates for and supports measures for disaster
preparedness and risk reduction. In 2010 and 2011, the Commission has provided
humanitarian assistance worth more than €65 million in the region.
About the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
The European Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates cooperation in disaster
response among 31 European states (EU-27 plus Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein
and Norway). The participating countries pool their resources which can be made
available to disaster-stricken countries all over the world. When activated, the
Mechanism coordinates the provision of assistance inside and outside the
European Union. The European Commission manages the Mechanism through the
Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC).
Since its creation in 2001, the Mechanism has been activated for disasters in
Member States (for instance forest fires in Portugal, floods in the Balkans and an
explosion at a naval base in Cyprus and also elsewhere in the world, including the
earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.
For more information
Commissioner Georgieva's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/georgieva/index_en.htm
The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm
Contacts :
David Sharrock (+32 2 296 89 09)
Irina Novakova (+32 2 295 75 17)
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