EU releases P76M for flood victims in Mindanao

EU flag (File photo: Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The European Union (EU) has released EUR1.2 million or PHP76 million in humanitarian aid for victims of the floods that hit Mindanao over the past month.

In a statement dated July 30, the EU Delegation in Manila said the funding would help address the most pressing needs of people on the island, the hardest hit following several days of heavy rain caused by the southwest monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone.

“The beginning of this year’s monsoon and typhoon season is proving very hard for people in the Philippines, and the EU is stepping up its assistance to the most affected populations. This funding will help provide much-needed relief to people in Mindanao,” said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič.

The allocation will be for emergency relief to the most vulnerable families in heavily affected areas, specifically food assistance, access to safe water and sanitation facilities, and other essential services.

Floodings were reported in Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in mid-July as the southwest monsoon brought heavy to intense rains over Mindanao, affecting more than 99,000 families.

This new aid comes in addition to the EUR3.1 million already allocated in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines earlier this year.