Wednesday, September 03, 2008
THE European Commission (EU) yesterday launched
an emergency fund with two million euro (US$2.9 million) to assist with
relief operations in Carib-
bean countries, including Jamaica, which have been adversely affected by
the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav.
Funds will be disbursed to vulnerable communities with emergency needs,
mainly medical care, shelter, food and basic household items such as
kitchen utensils, the EU said in a press release yesterday.
According to the EU, its Humanitarian Aid Department has been closely
following the progress of the hurricane and has been updated on the
emergency needs, through its field office in the Dominican Republic.
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel
said access to clean drinking water has already been identified as a
major challenge.
"The livelihoods of tens of thousands of people will be severely
affected by crop and livestock losses. What is clear is that many
vulnerable people in these countries are suffering and we need to act
quickly to help them," Michel said.
He said that projects eligible for funding in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and
the Dominican Republic would be able to access the funds.
"The European Commission has consistently responded with substantial
assistance to emergency situations caused by hurricanes and severe
weather systems.
"In March, the commission disbursed J$756 million (7.5 million euro) to
the Government of Jamaica to help offset the cost of reconstruction
after Hurricane Dean de
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