The EU will provide additional humanitarian aid, civil protection expertise and in-kind assistance to Haiti following deadly hurricane Matthew. The Commission has earmarked extra €1.5 million in emergency aid for those most affected by the hurricane to cover immediate basic needs. The new tranche of funding comes on top of €255 000 that the EU announced immediately following the disaster.
In addition to the monetary support, the EU Member States have offered their assistance via the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism and a team of 11 civil protection experts from across the bloc has been sent to the affected areas to help on-site. The team consists of experts in emergency coordination, logistics, water and sanitation, and health. Moreover, professionals from France, Spain and the United Kingdom are supplying shelters, water purification modules and other flooding management items.
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management commented that “In solidarity with the people of Haiti, the European Union is stepping up emergency aid at this critical time to save lives. The EU is also providing expertise to help people in Haiti to provide temporary shelters, health services, safe drinking water and sanitation.” Mr Stylianides also stressed that he thanks “all our Member States for their help through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which coordinates a European response to natural disasters. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this natural disaster and the rescue teams helping at this time.”
Hurricane Matthew has claimed the lives of almost 900 people in Haiti and left 90 percent of the island’s southern regions completely destroyed. Some of the hardest-hit towns still have not been reached and there are fears more bodies will be found. The hurricane is now moving towards southern United States.
