The European Union has released €450,000 (₱30.69 million) in humanitarian aid to assist communities affected by two powerful earthquakes that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental earlier this month. The funding aims to deliver emergency relief to the most affected populations, particularly those displaced and living in temporary shelters.
Of the total amount, €300,000 (₱20.46 million) will go to the ACCESS consortium, led by the NGO CARE, to provide vital support including emergency shelter, water, sanitation, and other relief interventions. This aid will reinforce the ongoing EU-funded Rapid Response Mechanism, which was activated immediately after the earthquakes to address urgent humanitarian needs in the region.
The remaining €150,000 (₱10.23 million) will be channeled to the Philippine Red Cross to provide essential supplies such as tents, sleeping kits, and kitchen sets, as well as cash assistance, hot meals, and clean water. Additional efforts will include the provision of healthcare services and the creation of safe spaces for children. This allocation is part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
This new financial assistance adds to the €8.05 million (₱549 million) in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness funds that the EU has already allocated to the Philippines in 2024. Earlier allocations included €1.3 million (₱88.66 million) for tropical cyclone response in July and September, and €750,000 (₱51.15 million) for relief efforts following a previous earthquake in Cebu.
The aid is being provided through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) department of the European Commission, which coordinates humanitarian assistance worldwide. The EU’s continued support highlights its commitment to assisting the most vulnerable populations affected by disasters. It is also aligned with a €12 million (₱818.39 million) agreement between the EU and the IFRC to sustain the DREF, ensuring rapid mobilization of funds whenever national Red Cross or Red Crescent societies require immediate support for disaster response.
