Haiti Relief Grows
- January 20th, 2010
- Posted by EUEditor
A special Council of ministers of the European Union at Brussels (18.1.10) approved major funding support for relief work, for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Text of the announcement from the meeting:
“The European Union today promised more than EU420-million (A$651.6-million ; dcerates 18.1.10) in aid to Haiti, of which EU229-million (A$355.3-m) will consist of humanitarian aid and immediate restoration after the earthquake, and showed a ‘positive’ attitude to the dispatch of Gendarmerie and Police forces at the request of the UNO to ensure safety during distribution of aid to the population.
“The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Catherine Ashton, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ãngel Moratinos – whose country occupies the EU Presidency for this six month period – and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht spoke … about the extraordinary Council … convened to discuss the Caribbean country devastated by the earthquake in which thousands have died.
“Urgent humanitarian aid will total EU122-million (A$189.2-m), with a further EU107-million (A$166-m) for immediate restoration… A further EU200-million (A$310.3-m) will be set aside for medium- and long-term rebuilding…â€
The EU relief effort accompanies moves by individual member states sending in warships, specialist rescue teams and medical services.
Reference
European Council, Brussels, Media Release, “Aid to Haitiâ€, 18.1.10.
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Haiti operations (EU)