The European Union (EU) has pledged €570,000, or almost P34 million, worth of humanitarian aid for survivors of Tropical Storm “Vinta” (international name: Tembin). “This EU contribution underlines our commitment to the people of the Philippines, many of whom have suffered great losses as a result of Tropical Storm Vinta and are in dire need ofimmediate assistance,” said Christos Stylianides, EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management. During the holiday season, Vinta pummeled Visayas and Mindanao with torrential rains that spawned widespread flooding and deadly landslides. The EU assistance would focus on providing emergency shelter, essential household items, access to clean water and hygiene promotion, Stylianides said. European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (Echo) personnel had also been deployed in several hard-hit areas to assess the situation, he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 28, 2017 12:25 UTC