EU announces €1.1m support for Amphan-affected BD

The European Union (EU) has issued a statement on May 22 addressing the immediate needs of populations affected by the Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh and announced an initial funding of 1.1 million euro to support the people affected by it.

Janez Lenarčič, EU commissioner for Crisis Management, said, "We can only imagine the dire state our Bangladeshi and Indian friends are currently in."

Calling it a "crisis on top of a crisis" he said, "This storm hits at a time when social distancing remains essential to prevent a further spread of the coronavirus."

Extending his condolence for the people who have lost thier lives due to the storm, the commissioner said, "I am saddened to learn about fatalities in both Bangladesh and India, and the extent of destruction caused by strong winds, flooding and landslides, also damaging houses, infrastructure and livelihoods.

"During these troubled times I am proud to see that first responders are starting saving people's lives and that further assessment of the situation on the ground has already started," he added.

The EU's Copernicus emergency management service supports these efforts with satellite maps to assess damages.

However, it also announced an initial funding of 500,000 euro to assist India deal with devastation of Cyclone Amphan.