The European Union has expressed solidarity with the communities affected by the earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and nearby areas, while actively monitoring the situation to assess further assistance needs. In response to a separate recent earthquake in Cebu, the EU has released €750,000 (over Php 50 million) in humanitarian aid to provide emergency relief to the most affected populations, particularly displaced individuals who have lost their homes.
Of this allocation, €250,000 will support the Philippine Red Cross in delivering cash assistance, tents, household items, and healthcare services to those impacted. This funding is part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The new funding adds to the €7.3 million already allocated in 2025 for humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness in the Philippines, including €1.3 million dedicated to responses following tropical cyclones earlier this year.
The EU’s humanitarian support is managed through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) department of the European Commission, which provides assistance worldwide to people affected by conflicts and disasters based on humanitarian needs. The EU is also a signatory to a €12 million agreement with the IFRC to support the DREF, which allows National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to request immediate financial aid in response to disasters, replenished by donor contributions.
