Bogot: The European Union continues to mobilise assistance for Colombia following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Sweden has offered 150 tents and 360 blankets, Germany is sending 3,000 kitchen sets and 2,500 water filters, while Luxembourg has offered 79 tents through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a press release by the European Commission says that the Commission has also deployed a Rapid Response Coordinator to Colombia to support the coordination of EU Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian assistance on the ground. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of solidarity through action during such tragedies.
The civil protection assistance complements the £2.1 million in emergency humanitarian funding announced by the European Commission on 12 August. EU humanitarian partners are providing health, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, as well as shelter, food, protection, and cash support to affected communities.
EU support was mobilised from the first hours following the earthquake. The Commission activated the Copernicus satellite mapping service to support rescue operations and provide initial damage assessments. The EU's humanitarian partner, the German Red Cross, also immediately reallocated £100,000 from an EU-funded project to address the immediate needs of 2,500 affected families in Choc³ and Valle del Cauca.