EU Commission adds €10m for Pakistan earthquake relief

The European Commission has just adopted an emergency humanitarian aid decision, providing a further €10 million for relief efforts in the earthquake zone in Pakistan. The decision was signed today by Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid.

Commissioner Michel said: "The humanitarian conditions faced by the populations in the regions hit by the earthquake are absolutely dramatic. The international efforts must be stepped up and speeded up as a matter of priority. The European Commission is committed to fulfil its commitment to provide emergency vital assistance. With these € 10 million, we will allow humanitarian organisations to provide adequate shelter, medical assistance as well as well logistical support and helicopters".

The funds will be used for a range of relief activities with a particular focus on continuing needs for healthcare and shelter, and on boosting the logistical capacity of United Nations and other agencies striving to deliver aid in extremely difficult conditions.

This is the first of two planned humanitarian decisions deploying the €30 million released by the European Parliament and Council (budgetary authority) from the emergency reserve of the budget.

In choosing a fast-track emergency decision for the latest tranche of funding in its rolling programme of humanitarian support, the Commission is underlining its commitment to ensure that the aid rapidly reaches those most in need.

In parallel with the decision-making process, the Humanitarian Aid department has been dealing with financing proposals from a range of UN and other partner agencies. This means that the funding should be available to partners within the next two weeks, enabling them speedily to translate it into concrete assistance on the ground.

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• Speech by EU Commissioner Michel - EU Commission's view on reform of international humanitarian system (12/12/2005)
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• Pakistan earthquake: EU Commission proposes €93.6 million aid package  (24/10/2005)
• EU Commission boosts humanitarian funding for South Asia earthquake victims by €10m  (14/10/2005)
• Humanitarian support for South Asia earthquake victims: EU Commission's immediate response (10/10/2005)