EU announces 1.65 million euros in aid for flood-hit South Asian nations

The European Union on Tuesday announced 1.65 million euros humanitarian aid to India, Bangladesh and Nepal reeling under devastating floods and landslides. Through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the EU helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year. The floods have affected some 17.5 million people, wiping out homes, livelihoods such as livestock and agricultural lands, and destroying vital infrastructure including roads, hospitals and schools.

New Delhi: Even as parts of India, Bangladesh and Nepal are reeling under devastating floods and landslides, the European Union (EU) Tuesday announced 1.65 million euros in humanitarian aid to these South Asian nations.

This aid comes after the EU announced aid worth 1.8 million euros earlier this year to support families affected by a series of disasters, including Cyclone Amphan that ravaged India and Bangladesh in May taking the total aid to 3.45 million euros.

“The monsoon rains across South Asia have been particularly devastating this year and this urgent contribution will help our humanitarian partners on the ground in providing crucial support to those who have lost their shelters, belongings and sources of livelihood,” Taheeni Thammannagoda, who oversees EU humanitarian programmes in Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.

“Focusing on the worst affected countries, we are providing the means for people to survive through this difficult time so that they can get back on their feet as soon as possible.”

The floods have affected some 17.5 million people, wiping out homes, livelihoods such as livestock and agricultural lands, and destroying vital infrastructure including roads, hospitals and schools.

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According to the EU statement, of the 1.65 million euros, 1 million euros “will be dedicated to addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh, where over two million people are in need of food assistance, water, sanitation, hygiene and emergency shelter”.

“A further 500,000 euros will be used in India to provide food and livelihood assistance, emergency relief supplies, and water and sanitation services,” it stated.

“So far, this year’s monsoon rains have impacted at 10.9 million and has amplified people’s vulnerabilities as they struggle to tackle the consequences of the global coronavirus pandemic,” the statement said.

“In Nepal, 150,000 euros will be used to address the pressing need for water and sanitation, shelter and essential household items following the displacement of thousands of people after the rains unleashed devastating landslides across the country.”

Through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the EU helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year.

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In an e-mail response to queries from ETV Bharat, Peter Biro, ECHO’s Regional Information Officer for Asia and the Pacific, said that the amount extended as aid is utilised through non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners already responding to the emergency and having a presence in the affected areas.

ECHO works with over 200 partners organisations to provide humanitarian assistance throughout the world. Humanitarian partners include NGOs, international organisations, UN agencies, and specialised agencies of EU member states.

In this context, referring to the aid extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan, Biro said: “Through Cyclone Amphan funds, the EU reached out to more than 51,000 people by addressing the needs of the affected communities around food security and livelihood (unconditional cash transfers), water sanitation and hygiene as well as shelter and settlements (conditional cash transfers).”

The aid announced Tuesday is part of the EU’s Acute Large Emergency Response Tool (ALERT).

“Measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus will be incorporated in all programming,” the EU statement said.

ALERT is used to respond to large natural disasters where over 100,000 people or over 50 per cent of the population are affected.

Article by Aroonim Bhuyan