Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union announces €21.5 million in humanitarian aid for the Asia-Pacific region.
The European Commission announced today on 15 Oct 2024 a new humanitarian aid package of €21.5 million for the Asia-Pacific region. It brings the total EU support to nearly €95 million in 2024. The new funding will back humanitarian schemes in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Also, a new EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight taking necessary supplies for victims of typhoon Yagi, which left a trail of devastation in the Asia-Pacific region, is being embarked and is due to arrive in the coming days in Laos.
The announcements come as EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is visiting the Philippines and Indonesia to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and react with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries in the region.
What is the focus of Commissioner Lenarčič’s visit to Southeast Asia?
In his remarks, Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management said: “The ongoing monsoon season has been particularly hard in Southeast Asia, where several countries have suffered severe floods and cyclones. As climate-induced disasters become more frequent and intense, it is even more important to reinforce international cooperation for better preparedness and efficient response. I am convinced that this agreement between the EU and ASEAN disaster management bodies will bring many gains, allowing us to learn from each other and better protect our populations.”
In this consideration, Commissioner Lenarčič will convey the EU at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila, Philippines, where he will emphasise the EU’s commitment to helping disaster preparedness and response, both in the EU and beyond. The EU recently supported the Philippines following typhoons Yagi and Gaemi.
New agreement on EU-ASEAN disaster management
Moreover, Commissioner Lenarčič will observe the signature of an agreement on disaster management between the EU’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and ASEAN’s Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). This arrangement will further strengthen collaboration between the EU and ASEAN countries in preparedness and response to disasters by Exchanging knowledge and best approaches between ASEAN and the EU; Deploying and exchanging experts and Developing training schedules.
