Brussels, 29 January 2022 (TDI): Today a tweet was posted by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (CPHA) announced that it would be providing the Philippines, South East Asia, and Nepal with 21 million Euros for humanitarian assistance, the tweet is as follows:
New EU funding for the Philippines, Nepal, and other southeast Asian countries will strengthen disaster preparedness efforts and support people affected by natural hazards, #COVID19, and conflict.
New EU funding for the Philippines, Nepal and other South East Asian countries will strengthen disaster preparedness efforts and support people affected by natural hazards, #COVID19 and conflict.
Read more. 🆕👇https://t.co/kOzGOWK1nk
— EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid 🇪🇺 (@eu_echo) January 28, 2022
This announcement was made in line with the crippling humanitarian situation within the countries as a result of COVID19, the recent rise in natural disasters that have struck the countries as well as the conflicts within the region.
The commissioner allocated for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic expressed his sadness over the devastation caused due to the recent typhoon RAI. He stated the effects caused by the typhoon illustrated the effects of climate change, and the countries in Southeast Asia were the first ones to have had a hands-on experience of the changes brought forward by global warming.
This is the reason he described, that the European Union is taking one step closer to assisting these countries through the provision of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable areas within these countries.
How this funding is to be allocated
9.5 Million Euros are dedicated to the preparations along with contingency response strategies for disasters within the South East Asian region, Nepal, and the Philippines.
1.5 Million Euros are allocated for the civilians affected by the prolonged conflict within the Philippines. This fund will also be for the strengthening of support systems fighting against COVID19 as well as other projects related to humanitarian assistance within the region.
Moreover, the aid will be prioritized according to the most need-based regions in the Philippines. 10 Million Euros will be committed to providing the families that were displaced as a result of Typhoon RAI within the Philippines with humanitarian aid.
History of relations
Despite the unsettling natural hazards which have occurred within the recent years within the Philippines, the region had been characterized by an ongoing conflict that was particularly prevalent between armed forces and the government in the region of Mindanao.
This situation has resulted in the loss of livelihoods as well as life. The European Union and the Philippines have shared a long history of humanitarian aid since 1996, as the EU has assisted the country with more than 153.5 million Euros.
Similar is the case for its history with Nepal. The country has been prone to disasters for a long time as a result of its geographical location and fluctuating climate change. Each year the loss of life and livelihood increase as a result of population density and environmental changes.
Since 2001, the European Union has continuously supported initiatives that have paved the way to reducing the level of risks to the people within the country. Having been involved in building capacity for disaster response strategies within the region, the European Union has given more than 116 million Euros to assist the country.
Southeast Asia has suffered from several calamities over the past few years. The European Union has been dedicated to enhancing humanitarian aid for many years, having also assisted countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines. The European Union continues to show its support.