EU humanitarian aid to India

The European Commission today announced a further €10 million in humanitarian assistance for the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat. This comes on top of a €3 million decision announced at the weekend, thus bringing the total to €13 million so far. The aid, managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), will provide more support for the ongoing relief effort. As most of the current relief operations are focused on the major urban centers, ECHO aims to reach badly affected smaller towns and remote areas where less aid has been getting through. The Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr. Poul Nielson, announcing the decision today in Brussels, "We are fulfilling the promise I made at the weekend to increase the initial funding amount of €3 million once the scale of needs became apparent. An initial assessment has already taken place and we are now involved in a major effort to identify the priorities outside the main centers. We will continue to assist in any way to help bring relief to those in need."

Commission staffs in both Brussels and Gujarat are closely monitoring the situation together with other donors and humanitarian organizations working in the crisis zone. Co-ordination between donors in a difficult situation is a primary concern in the need to avoid duplication of efforts. ECHO's partners in the field are working, in extremely difficult conditions, to identify ways of reaching those that need help most urgently. The new funding will be channeled through the operational partners as rapidly as possible.

ECHO has also issued more details about the €3 million in initial emergency assistance that was announced on Saturday and is already being spent on the ground. ECHO is directing this support through six of its partners with whom it already works in India. These are Oxfam (UK), the German Red Cross, Save the Children (UK), Danchurchaid, Concern-Worldwide (Ireland) and CARE (UK).

The first priority has been to help meet the immediate and essential needs of the earthquake victims. This includes providing medical services and supplies, food, blankets, warm clothing, shelter materials and generators. The German Red Cross, working with its Finnish and Norwegian counterparts, is establishing a field hospital in Bhuj where most of the local health facilities were destroyed. The other partners are all focusing on delivering vital relief supplies, including emergency drinking water.

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• EU humanitarian response to India (27/7/2001)
• EU humanitarian assistance to India (6/3/2001)