EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 17 December 2013
Typhoon Haiyan: European Commission increases aid to
€40 million
The European Commission is making available an additional €20 million in emergency aid
for the worst-hit communities in the Philippines still suffering from the massive destruction
caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
"The very first days were extremely hard for the victims: no food, no water, no electricity,
no telecommunications. The overall situation is gradually improving, but the challenges
ahead remain huge. We remain fully committed to bringing relief to those most affected,"
said Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid
and Crisis Response. The Commissioner visited some of the most severely affected areas
shortly after the cyclone to assess the impact, discuss with national authorities and receive
in-depth reports from experts on the ground.
Today's decision brings the Commission's assistance to the affected communities to €40
million. €10 million in humanitarian aid was released in the immediate aftermath of the
disaster and €10 million for early recovery and reconstruction has been allocated from EU
development funds. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated and the Commission
directly supports with more than €3.5 million the transport of European assistance to the
disaster zone.
The additional aid will contribute to the work of the government
and development organizations to help survivors meet their
rebuilding their lives. Most of the affected communities' income
and fisheries, which were damaged by the disaster. The objective
assistance and livelihood support. Shelter, the rehabilitation
sanitation will also be priorities.
and other humanitarian
basic needs and start
depends on agriculture
now is to reinforce food
of schools, water and
The European Commission's relief efforts are carried out through partner organizations
such as the World Food Programme, the International Federation of the Red Cross,
UNICEF, Action Contre la Faim, Save the Children, CARE, Merlin, Plan International,
Oxfam, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the
International Organization for Migration (IOM).
IP/13/1264
Background
Typhoon Haiyan (locally named Yolanda) is one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded. It
struck the Philippines in early November, causing massive devastation in the central
regions. Over 6 000 people have been officially reported dead, 1 770 are missing, four
million displaced and between 14 and 16 million affected, out of which six million are
children.
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with several
earthquakes and around 20 typhoons per year. This year alone the European Commission
has provided significant humanitarian assistance to the archipelago: €2.5 million has been
made available for the response to the earthquake which struck Bohol and surrounding
provinces two months ago; for Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) a total of €10 million has been
released to help rebuild the communities devastated by the cyclone which hit SouthEastern Mindanao in December 2012; following flooding caused by Typhoon Trami
(Maring) in August ECHO committed €200 000 to assist those affected, and €300 000 was
allocated in October for those displaced by the conflict in Zamboanga.
For more information
Factsheet on Typhoon Haiyan:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/philippines_haiyan_en.pdf
IP/13/1088: More aid to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan as Commissioner Georgieva visits
the Philippines
IP/13/1059: European Commission releases emergency funds to help victims of tropical
cyclone Haiyan
IP/13/1063: The EU responds to Haiyan disaster with coordinated relief efforts
IP/13/1068: EU mobilises new support to the Philippines' reconstruction
The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm
Commissioner Georgieva's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/georgieva/index_en.htm
Contacts :
Irina Novakova (+32 2 295 75 17)
David Sharrock (+32 2 296 89 09)
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