TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The European Union (EU) provided €200,000, or over Rp3.4 billion, to support those affected by severe floods and passage of tropical Cyclone Seroja in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

“With this assistance, the EU is expressing its solidarity with Indonesia for the many people afflicted by Cyclone Seroja. The EU stands ready to support those in need in times of crisis,” said EU Ambassador to Indonesia Vincent Piket, as stated in a statement received by Tempo on Tuesday, April 20.

The aid would be allocated in response to emerging needs of 3,850 vulnerable households in 36 villages. It would also be used for the distribution of personal protective equipment to 150 health workers in 3 hospitals in anticipation of an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The €150,000 funding was made available via the EU-funded I-COPE and ENVISION projects, while the €50,000 was provided by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) through its Small Scale Response mechanism.

It is hoped that it would strengthen support for existing projects implemented by EU humanitarian partner organizations in Indonesia, to reach the most vulnerable households. ECHO’s Small Scale Response fund is a global mechanism, which allows for rapid funding for humanitarian aid in countries affected by natural and man-made disasters.

As per Arpil 14, NTT deputy governor Josef Nae Soi reported there were 181 casualties and 47 people went missing due to the flashfloods and landslides caused by Cyclone Seroja. Moreover, the disaster mitigation agency recorded 250 people injured and 49,512 people were relocated.

Read: New Piece of Land Emerges in NTT Post Cyclone Seroja Devastation

LA