Torino, Aug. 17 (LaPresse) – The European Union continues to mobilize aid for Colombia following the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Sweden has offered 150 tents and 360 blankets, Germany is sending 3,000 kitchen kits and 2,500 water filters, while Luxembourg has made 79 tents available through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is coordinating European assistance and its delivery to Colombia. The Commission has also sent a rapid response coordinator to the country to support on the ground the coordination of operations under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian aid. “Europe stands with the Colombian people following the devastating earthquake. In times of tragedy, solidarity means taking action. We are sending tents, water filters, food and other essential supplies to support communities in need. We stand with the Colombian people during this emergency and in the recovery that will follow,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Civil protection assistance comes in addition to the €2.1 million in emergency humanitarian aid announced by the European Commission on Aug. 12. The EU’s humanitarian partners are providing affected communities with healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as shelter, food, protection and financial support. EU support was mobilized in the first hours following the earthquake. The Commission activated the Copernicus satellite mapping service to support rescue operations and provide an initial assessment of the damage. The German Red Cross, also an EU humanitarian partner, immediately reallocated €100,000 from an EU-funded project to respond to the immediate needs of 2,500 affected families in the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca.
Colombia, new EU aid after earthquake: tents, filters and kitchen kits sent
Torino, Aug. 17 (LaPresse) – The European Union continues to mobilize aid for Colombia following the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Sweden has offered 150 tents and 360 blankets, Germany is sending 3,000 kitchen kits and 2,500 water filters, while Luxembourg has made 79 tents available through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is coordinating European assistance and its delivery to Colombia. The Commission has also sent a rapid response coordinator to the country to support on the ground the coordination of operations under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian aid. “Europe stands with the Colombian people following the devastating earthquake. In times of tragedy, solidarity means taking action. We are sending tents, water filters, food and other essential supplies to support communities in need. We stand with the Colombian people during this emergency and in the recovery that will follow,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Civil protection assistance comes in addition to the €2.1 million in emergency humanitarian aid announced by the European Commission on Aug. 12. The EU’s humanitarian partners are providing affected communities with healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as shelter, food, protection and financial support. EU support was mobilized in the first hours following the earthquake. The Commission activated the Copernicus satellite mapping service to support rescue operations and provide an initial assessment of the damage. The German Red Cross, also an EU humanitarian partner, immediately reallocated €100,000 from an EU-funded project to respond to the immediate needs of 2,500 affected families in the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca.