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February 2005                                                                            Volume 8 - Number 1

    

 

Tsunami Disaster Updates...

     

 

 

European Union Response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami

By: Jenifer Lee

 

The European Union (EU) has pledged $2 billion (US Dollars) to countries affected by the Asian tsunami disaster in humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. Contributions from private European citizens and businesses currently total one billion dollars.

 

Following the earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) immediately deployed staff to provide emergency assistance and relief to tsunami victims. ECHO allocated $4 million in emergency funds to the International Red Cross/Red Crescent.  These funds supported initial relief efforts including water purification equipment, food, blankets, hygiene kits, temporary shelters, and costs for medical personnel, and the tracking of missing persons.

 

On December 31, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid pledged $26 million to assist victims in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives.

 

January 6, 2005, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, announced a humanitarian and reconstruction aid package for $585 million. This package includes $130 million for humanitarian assistance such as emergency shelters, family and medical kits, mobile health clinics, telecommunication services, water and sanitation treatment equipment and protection for children victims. The remaining $455 million is designated for long-term reconstruction costs to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure and revive the coastal communities.

 

On January 31, the European Commission committed an additional $104 million for humanitarian aid to benefit the two and a half million victims in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and Thailand over an 18-month period. $74 million is allocated to provide assistance, relief and short term rehabilitation; $20 million to for logistical coordination and support for the delivery of supplies, and $3 million towards the development of an early warning system and disaster preparedness programs in the affected countries. The remaining funds have been set aside for future needs.

 

The European Union also proposed a $1.3 billion congressional loan, “Indian Ocean Tsunami Lending Facility” for reconstruction of the Indian Ocean region to be managed by the European Investment Bank.

 

The EU continues to provide assistance supplementary to monetary donations. The European Commission is providing satellite imagery analysis to assist in data gathering for damage assessments. EU trade officials are currently examining ways to adapt trade policies to provide economic relief for affected countries. The EU’s commissioner for Justice, Freedom and security has proposed offering temporary refuge to children affected by the tsunami. Such a proposal would require changes to the EU’s temporary asylum regulations. The EU is also sending boats and fishing experts to tsunami-devastated areas to help revitalize the fishing industry.

 

Sources and Related Links:

European Community Humanitarian Aid Office: http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/whatsnew/tsunami_en.htm

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/tsunami.disaster/