Press Release from European Commission – IP/13/1052   11/11/2013

European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, has today announced new EU funds of eight million euros to contribute to the economic and social recovery of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao (The Philippines). The announcement was made during his first ever visit to the Philippines (10-12 Nov). The aim of the visit is to further advance bilateral development co-operation between the two parties.

The visit was scheduled prior to the Typhoon Haiyan, but it has inevitably been changed by the circumstances. Commissioner Piebalgs conveyed his condolences to the authorities and the people of Philippines and expressed his deepest sympathy and solidarity to the families of the victims and all those affected by Typhoon Haiyan which made land fall in The Philippines at the end of last week and resulted in very extensive loss of lives and destruction. The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has sent a condolences message to the President of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

– Cash donations from international community reaches now to 4 Billion pesos plus tons of relief goods, water, blankets, toiletries, medicines, kitchen materials and medical equipments.

– Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Office in Brussels, Belgium is still trying to make contact with their compatriots in the Philippines after the typhoon. Nearly 800 Belgians are living permanently in the country. Thirty Belgians were located in the most affected areas, says Joren Vandeweyer, spokesman of Foreign Affairs. Yesterday evening, about twenty Belgians were located. Foreign Minister Didier Reynders emphasized that Belgium has a satellite connection in the area, making contact and exchange of information easier. Last Sunday, a call center was opened and relatives of persons in the Philippines can contact the FPS Foreign Affairs at this number: (+32) 02.501.40.00.