EU, Canada release aid money for PHL flood victims


European Union and Canada are supporting Philippine efforts to help hundreds of thousands of people affected by last weeks deadly flooding in many parts of Luzon including Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

 
Lubomir Frebort, chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, on Monday said the EU is giving €700,000 to help cover the cost of distributing relief items, water, food, and sanitation, as well as efforts to clean up flood debris, provide shelter, and medical aid.
 
“Over 127,000 vulnerable people in need of urgent assistance are expected to directly  benefit from this funding,” Frebort said in a statement.
 
Following the report of an assessment team's visit to the affected areas The European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response announced the release of aid.
 
Also on Monday, Canada said it is giving a P 2.1- million initial allocation also to support relief efforts for Philippine flood victims.
 
Canada's response, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will support the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Philippine Red Cross in the affected areas, its embassy in Manila said.
 
The IFRC aims to sustain the supply of food and other relief items, help prevent diseases from breaking out, as well as provide health education and  psychosocial support to affected families.
 
It wants to ensure that people in evacuation centers get the water that they need.
 
Canadian ambassador Christopher Thornley expressed Canada's condolences to the people of the Philippines: "On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have lost loved ones or are otherwise affected by the latest devastating rains.  Canada stands ready to assist the Philippines in times of need." — Michaela del Callar/VS, GMA News

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