EU says it gave Philippines P380 million in aid for Typhoon Rolly, Ulysses response

The European Union on Friday said it delivered more than €6.456 million or some P380 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines following the onslaught of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses last month.

The EU said it extended shelter, food and livelihood assistance, health care and access to clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene worth €2.350 million, while its member states donated more to humanitarian institutions that responded to the calamities.

Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Sweden contributed to the emergency funds of NGOs like the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Caritas, and Save the Children Philippines, among others, the EU said.

"The EU and its Member States are known reliable partners of the Philippines in all times, especially in emergency situations," the EU said in a statement.

The union also commended the Philippine government for its typhoon response and recovery efforts.

"The world has again witnessed the compassion shown by the Filipino people in helping each other, and the Filipino 'bayanihan' spirit which is known worldwide," it said.

Aside from this, the EU said it also employed the Copernicus Space Programme, its Earth observation program, before, during, and after the typhoons hit the Philippines.

The government has recorded dozens of deaths and billions of pesos in agricultural damage after Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses battered Luzon within weeks of each other, causing floods in many areas, including Cagayan and Metro Manila.

The destruction caused by the two typhoons prompted environmental groups to call on President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a climate emergency.

Greenpeace Philippines earlier said addressing the climate crisis needs a strategy that goes beyond disaster response. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News