Following the impact of hurricane OTIS on the West coast of Mexico, the EU will provide €1.3 million in humanitarian assistance to help address the most urgent needs of the affected population.
The funding will provide assistance to the most vulnerable, including shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as support for livelihoods and other basic needs.
Furthermore, the EU has activated its Copernicus satellite service to provide damage assessments, producing over 14 maps to support the Mexican authorities.
This new funding brings EU humanitarian aid to Central America and Mexico to €23 million this year.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The tropical cyclone’s sudden increase in intensity was shocking and against all forecasts. Once again, we see how climate change is making disasters more devastating. This new EU funding will bring relief to the most vulnerable groups of the affected population, ensuring they can access basic services and receive help while they rebuild their homes.”
Background
The strong winds, together with very heavy rainfall and storm surges, caused numerous casualties and extensive damage to infrastructures in the area, in particular in Acapulco city.
As many as 270,000 homes have been impacted to varying extents. Key infrastructure has sustained significant damage, with over 120 healthcare facilities and 33 educational institutions affected.
The EU has been a longstanding partner of the countries in Latin America on disaster preparedness and risk management, going back to the response to Hurricane Mitch.
Since July 2023 the two regions are working on a signature of a memorandum of understanding to strengthen partnership to improve disaster preparedness, early warning, and climate resilience for the years to come.
Details
- Publication date
- 22 November 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
