EUROPEAN COMMISSION PLEDGES €1 MILLION IN FLOOD AID
The European Commission has pledged €1 million ($US 1.97 million) in emergency aid to help Burma’s flood victims.
The promise of aid comes as tropical cyclone Komen battered the country leaving at least 69 people dead and affecting as many as 1 million people.
Christos Stylianides, the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said in a statement that, “The EU stands by the people affected by the floods both in Myanmar and Bangladesh”
The Commissioner added that aid was vital because further flooding in the region was expected.
“With more rain on its way, the key priority now is to make sure people are safe – and then to help them rebuild their livelihoods. Our new humanitarian funding will provide immediate help to those in need through our partners on the ground.”
The European Commission also pledged a further €500,000 for neighbouring Bangladesh, which has also experienced widespread flooding.
The European Commission joins a host of international and regional organisations donating aid.
Local organisations on the Thai-Burma border donated more than 750 million kyat ($US 606,000 dollars) this month in flood aid.
