The European Union (EU) has allocated 18 million euros (about 25 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to the Caribbean, South America and South Asia to boost disaster preparedness in the regions, the European Commission announced Wednesday.
Of the money, 4 million euros will go to the Caribbean region, 6.5 million euros to South America and 7.5 million to South Asia.
The money, allocated from the EU humanitarian aid budget, will be used to improve the capacities of communities at risk in the three regions so that they can better prepare for and protect themselves against natural disasters.
It will target the most vulnerable local communities and their institutions, those at greatest risk from natural hazards and with the lowest coping capacities.
The funds will be channelled through the European Commission's humanitarian aid department under the direct responsibility of EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel.
The three regions are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, drought, floods and landslides.
The losses and destruction that result from such disasters are very significant from a social and economic point of view and reduce the development potential of the three regions, said the European Commission.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article