Brussels, 14/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on Wednesday 14 March that initial emergency aid of €1 million to help the victims of tropical cyclone Giovanna, followed by tropical storm Irina. ECHO, the Commission's humanitarian aid wing, will provide the money to help the most vulnerable with life-saving assistance such as water, health and shelter over the next six months. The Commission is closely monitoring needs and will provide additional funding if necessary.
In a press release, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva stated that, in addition to this immediate aid, “it is equally important to boost disaster resilience for the future - this will diminish the impact of storms and will prevent new humanitarian emergencies”. The aid will be channelled by NGOs and ECHO's partner humanitarian organisations on the ground.
Cyclone Giovanna made landfall on 14 February in the south of Taomasina and tropical storm Irina followed on two weeks later, hitting the south-eastern Iflandiana district on 26 February. Over 100 people were killed and almost 310,000 affected, with 240,000 people being displaced. At least 100,000 people are in direct need of humanitarian aid.
Last year, the Commission assisted Madagascar after cyclone Bingiza hit the Sava region and floods ravaged the south-east part of the island. In 2010-2011, the Commission Disaster Preparedness programme for Southern Africa (DIPECHO) allocated €5.5 million to prepare the people and national authorities for future disasters and to develop an adequate system for responding to them. Madagascar will continue to benefit from the third phase of the programme in 2012. (AN/transl.rt)