The European Commission announced today a new humanitarian aid package of EUR21.5 million for the Asia-Pacific region, bringing the total EU support to almost EUR95 million in 2024. The new funding will support humanitarian projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Furthermore, a new EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight taking essential supplies for victims of Typhoon Yagi, that left a trail of destruction in the Asia-Pacific region, is being launched and due to arrive in the coming days in Laos.
The announcements came as Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, visits the Philippines and Indonesia this week to reinforce cooperation in disaster preparedness and response with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries in the region.
In this regard, Commissioner Lenarčič represented today the EU at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila, Philippines, where he highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting disaster preparedness and response, both in the EU and beyond. The EU recently supported the Philippines following typhoons Yagi and Gaemi.
“As climate-induced disasters become more frequent and intense, it is even more important to reinforce international cooperation for better preparedness and efficient response,” the Commissioner stressed.
Later this week in Jakarta, he will attend the signing of an agreement on disaster management between the EU’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and ASEAN’s Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center).
This agreement will further strengthen cooperation between the EU and ASEAN countries in preparedness and response to disasters by exchanging knowledge and best practices between ASEAN and the EU, deploying and exchanging experts, and developing training programmes.
During his stay in Jakarta, the Commissioner will also mark the 20th anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit Indonesia in 2004, recalling the EU solidarity during the response.
(Photos courtesy of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines via the EU official website)
