Eurocommissaris Georgieva reist naar Azië voor gesprekken over samenwerking humanitaire hulp bij rampen (en)

Brussels, 9 September 2011 - As one of the world's most disaster-prone regions, where impressive growth is combined with persisting humanitarian challenges, Southeast Asia is often on the European Commission's agenda for humanitarian assistance and disaster management. This is why Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response is paying her second visit to the region.

In Burma/Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia the Commissioner will hold meetings with government ministers and other stakeholders. She will also be the first European Union Commissioner to visit the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Commissioner Georgieva will raise a number of issues related to the EU's humanitarian aid operations in the region and will devote particular attention to disaster preparedness and disaster response management.

"Economic growth and regional integration are a great opportunity and we are at the right moment for improving disaster resilience in a part of the world that is so prone to natural hazards and catastrophes. Europe and Asia can learn a lot from each other and work together more closely on preventing and preparing for disasters. I look forward to engaging in proactive and result-oriented dialogue with the policy makers and civil society in Yangon, Naypyidaw, Bangkok and Jakarta," Georgieva said.

Background

This is the second visit of Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva to Southeast Asia this year - earlier in 2011 she travelled to Bangkok and the border between Thailand and Burma/Myanmar. She met with representatives of the Thai government and visited refugee camps and Commission-funded projects providing healthcare and food assistance to refugees from Burma/Myanmar.

In 2010 and 2011, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has been providing over €100 million in funding in the region. This has benefitted millions of people affected by cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters as well as people affected by conflict and displacement. The Commission's funding in this area also includes disaster preparedness activities at community level.

The allocation of funds has been:

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  for Southeast Asia: Burma/Myanmar: €27.89 million; Cambodia, €2.56 million; Indonesia: €3.73 million; Lao PDR: €2.8 million; Philippines: €14.16 million; Thailand: €16.2 million; Vietnam: €3.1 million;

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  for East Asia: China: €0.07 million; DPRK: 10.4 million; Japan: €10 million

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  for the Pacific: €5.96 and

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  for disaster preparedness regional programmes covering several countries: €1.05 million.

For more information

Commissioner Georgieva's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/georgieva/index_en.htm

The European Commission's humanitarian aid:

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm