European Union extends humanitarian assistance to Luzon flood victims

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) has donated 150,000 euros, approximately P10.9 million, to help victims of severe flooding caused by monsoon rains in Luzon.

The humanitarian assistance is expected to benefit more than 32,000 people in areas severely hit by flooding including Ilocos region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

The funding will help the Philippine Red Cross provide essential household items including sleeping kits, water containers and hygiene kits to displaced families.

“The aid will also be used to provide hot meals and safe drinking water to people in evacuation centers and affected communities. Mobile health teams will offer medical consultations, medicine, health information and mental health support,” the EU said.

It said hygiene activities and disease monitoring will be conducted to mitigate the risk of water- and vector-borne diseases that are prevalent after flooding.

The assistance is the EU’s contribution to the disaster response emergency fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The fund is on top of the over two million euros earlier allocated to humanitarian partners in the Philippines.

“Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human sufferings, and safeguard the integrity and dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises,” the EU said.