EU to allocate over P160 million assistance to Odette-hit areas

The European Union (EU) announced on Thursday that it would allocate €2.83 million or P160.69 million worth of humanitarian assistance to areas severely battered by Typhoon Odette in the Philippines.

The EU said the financial assistance is on top of their important contributions and pledges from its member states of multilateral humanitarian institutions.

“The EU Delegation and Member States’ embassies, as well as European leaders have expressed their condolences for the tragic loss of lives and pledged support to assist the hard-hit areas,” the EU said in a statement.

“The assistance mobilized is a reaffirmation of the commitment to stand in solidarity with the Filipino people during these trying times,” it added.

It assured that the Emergency and Response Coordination Center (ERCC) of the European Commission has been closely monitoring the situation in the affected regions.

It also offered the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) free of charge satellite maps of the affected areas by using the EU Copernicus Emergency Management Services for rapid mapping.

According to the EU, the maps will be used to show an assessment of the damages in the areas.

“The ERCC has been coordinating with UNOSAT and is proposing to provide complementary satellite imagery in Cebu Airport, low lying urban areas of Cebu, Puerto Princesa City and its international airport selected based on the following criteria: being hit by strong winds, densely populated and isolated or hard to reach,” it added.

The NDRRMC on Thursday said a total of 258 people have been reported dead, 47 were missing, and 568 were injured due to Odette.

Among the affected regions in the country were Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

Meanwhile, a total of 33 cities and municipalities were declared under a state of calamity.—AOL, GMA News