The European Commission has released €11m for humanitarian support in Asia. The fund will support disaster preparedness initiatives throughout the region.
EU to boost disaster resilience through humanitarian support in Asia
The European Commission disbursed about €11m to support disaster preparedness initiatives and provide humanitarian assistance throughout Asia. The Commission targets these funds toward supporting the region in 2026.
Over €8.7m of these funds will go to disaster preparedness initiatives through the Asian region. The Commission will channel the majority of the funds through a regional allocation of €7m covering ASEAN countries, as well as Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Additionally, a dedicated €1.7m will fund country-specific disaster preparedness actions in Nepal. Funding in Nepal also aims to improve health emergency preparedness alongside anticipatory actions.
The funding from the European Commission will support the development of early warning systems and other necessary disaster preparation infrastructure. It will also help foster actions that promote climate and environmental resilience. The funds will also contribute to shock-responsive social protection mechanisms to help communities most at risk.
Furthermore, the Philippines will also receive €2m for humanitarian assistance. This is to help people affected by disasters like tropical cyclones, as well as victims of conflict.
The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, is also visiting Japan this week. She will meet with national and local authorities to discuss preparedness, disaster risk management, and humanitarian aid.
The commissioner will also visit Fukushima to mark the 15th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. She will also travel to the Noto Peninsula, which suffered an earthquake in 2024.
“Japan is a like-minded partner and a global leader in humanitarian action. It has a deep experience in preparing for disasters and responding when A crisis strikes. Japan is also a strong example of societal preparedness, including in schools, where children learn from an early age how to respond in an emergency.”
ASEAN countries most disaster-prone in the world
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, which is made up of about 11 countries, is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. This is due to the region’s geography and climate.
The region frequently faces extreme weather events such as typhoons, droughts, and even floods. These usually cause displacement and massive humanitarian crises.
Funding from the European Commission will help the region prepare better for these probable crises and plan better responses. It will also set up systems for support when disasters occur.