EU humanitarian aid to typhoon victims in the Philippines

ECHO, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department, has earmarked up to €1 million to help victims of the typhoons that have recently struck the Philippines.

An ECHO assessment mission is currently in the country to undertake a speedy assessment of immediate needs. Louis Michel, the Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid commented : "In situations like this, it is our duty to respond immediately. But where many affected areas are inaccessible, it can take some time for a clear picture to emerge. We want to use our relief funds as effectively as possible which is why we have sent an expert to the area immediately."

Typically, in natural disasters such as this, ECHO funds are deployed through experienced partners (NGOs, UN agencies and the Red Cross) to provide emergency shelters, water and sanitation facilities and essential aid supplies.

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