EU announces new humanitarian aid package for Bangladesh and other countries

The European Commission announced new funding to support humanitarian projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Commission today announced a new €21.5 million humanitarian aid package for the Asia-Pacific region, bringing total EU support to almost €95 million in 2024.

Meanwhile, an EU humanitarian air bridge flight carrying essential supplies for the victims of Typhoon Yagi, which recently left a trail of destruction in the Asia-Pacific region, will arrive in Laos in the coming days.

The announcements come as Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič visits the Philippines and Indonesia this week to strengthen cooperation on disaster preparedness and response with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries of the region.

Commissioner Lenarčič will represent the EU at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila, Philippines, where he will highlight the EU’s commitment to supporting disaster preparedness and response, both within the EU and beyond.

The EU recently supported the Philippines in the wake of typhoons Yagi and Gaemi.

New agreement on EU-Asean disaster management

Later this week in Jakarta, the Commissioner will participate in the signing of an agreement on disaster management between the EU Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and the Asean Coordination Center for Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Management Catastrophes (AHA Center).

This agreement will further strengthen cooperation between the EU and Asean countries in disaster preparedness and response, through the exchange of knowledge and best practices between Asean and the EU; deployment and exchange of experts; and develop training programs.

During his stay in Jakarta, the Commissioner will mark the 20th anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit Indonesia in 2004, recalling the EU’s solidarity during the response.

Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said the current monsoon season has been particularly difficult in Southeast Asia, where several countries have suffered severe floods and cyclones.

The commissioner said that as climate-induced disasters become more frequent and intense, it is even more important to strengthen international cooperation for better preparedness and efficient response.

“I am convinced that this agreement between EU and ASEAN disaster management bodies will bring many gains, allowing us to learn from each other and better protect our populations,” Lenarcic added.