The European Union (EU) and its member states have committed and delivered more than €6.456 million (approximately P380.123 million) worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in response to the devastating typhoons Rolly (international name Goni) and Ulysses (Vamco) that hit the country last month.
In a statement on Friday, the EU said the amount is on top of their contributions to the emergency funds of multilateral humanitarian institutions that have responded to the needs created by the most recent calamities, such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The EU has delivered €2.35 million for the provision of shelter, food and livelihood assistance, health care and access to clean water, safe sanitation, and good hygiene, among others.
Other European member states who coursed their assistance with the combined amount of €4.106 million through various international and local organizations were Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Hungary Netherlands, and Sweden.
The European body likewise commended the Philippine government for the acceleration of the recovery efforts and for addressing the humanitarian concerns brought about by these two typhoons.
“The world has again witnessed the compassion shown by the Filipino people in helping each other, and the Filipino “Bayanihan” spirit which is known worldwide,” it said.
Apart from the humanitarian assistance, the EU also utilized the use of Copernicus space program before, during and after the typhoons hit the country.
Among the many features of the Copernicus program is its ability to monitor the earth to ensure that people are prepared and protected during disasters, as well as promoting the free and open use of its information for all its users.