EU donates P5.2M humanitarian assistance to Batanes quake victims

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union on Monday said it is donating €90,000 (P 5.2 million) in humanitarian funding to help aid the families affected by the powerful quakes in Itbayat, Batanes.

EU said the humanitarian assistance would help approximately 1,000 individuals heavily hit by the quake.

Twin quakes hit Itbayat, Batanes last July 27 leaving nine people dead and 63 others injured.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 911 families or 2,963 individuals were affected by the tremors in five barangays of the northern island.

Some of these families were displaced by the quakes as almost 300 houses sustained damage.

Local health facilities and water distribution systems were also affected by the quake, slowing down the access of residents to medical services and potable water resources.

EU’s P5.2 million funding is part of the organization’s global contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

It would support the Philippine Red Cross in delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance through the provision of emergency relief items such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and temporary latrines.

“The aid will also ensure access to clean water, good hygiene practices and psychological support to the affected communities,” the EU said.

“Moreover, cash grants will be distributed to enable displaced people to meet their immediate household and food needs following the disruptions of livelihoods caused by the earthquakes,” it added.

EU, the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid, provides assistance to over 120 million victims of conflicts and disaster yearly through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. — Rosette Adel