EU allots P30.3M aid for Typhoon Egay victims

THE European Union has allocated an initial €500,000 or over P30.3 million in humanitarian aid to the Philippines to support relief efforts in areas battered by Typhoon Egay.

The EU announced the funding, through the EU Delegation to the Philippines, Saturday evening to enable its partner agencies in the country “to step up their assistance to the affected populations.”

The EU Mission to the Philippines said the funding aims to address the urgent needs of communities affected by Egay (international name: Doksuri), the fifth typhoon to hit the country in 2023.

The funding will provide life-saving assistance, including emergency shelter and shelter repair, clean water and sanitation to those most affected by the disaster, the EU said in a statement.

The assistance will be extended in the most affected areas, specifically in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

“The EU expresses its swift and unwavering support to the Filipino people during the aftermath of typhoon Doksuri, which resulted in extensive devastation and tragic loss of lives in the Philippines,” said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič.

This handout photograph taken and released by the Baguio City Police – Public Information Office on July 26, 2023, shows a personnel at a site hit by Typhoon Egay (international name: Dokshuri) in Baguio City. AFP PHOTO / Baguio City Police – Public Information Office

“Without delay, we have initiated emergency relief efforts in close collaboration with our humanitarian partners to aid those affected during this challenging period,” he said.

Humanitarian partners are already on the ground assessing needs and providing initial assistance, the EU said.

The EU has provided over €158 million in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness funding in the Philippines since 1996.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported that as of July 28, about 502,800 people have been affected by “Egay”, with 42,831 individuals displaced and seeking shelter, and 479 in evacuation centers.