EU pledges Euro 420 mn immediate relief aid to Haiti

The European Union has pledged more than Euro 420 million (nearly USD 600 million) for immediate humanitarian assistance.

The European Union has pledged more than Euro 420 million (nearly USD 600 million) for immediate humanitarian assistance,and recovery and reconstruction efforts in quake-hit Haiti which has witnessed widespread devastation.

As part of efforts to step up the joint European initiative in Haiti,the EU is sending its Commissioner for Development Assistance Karel de Gucht and a team of experts to that country later this week to assess the country’s most pressing needs,the European Commission said in Brussels.

The 27-nation group will also convene a special summit of its heads of state and government in early February to discuss the country’s aid requirements for post-emergency rehabilitation,recovery and long-term reconstruction.

Story continues below this ad

The European Commission said it will raise its humanitarian assistance to Euro 30 million from Euro 3 million (Euro 1 1.4 USD) pledged immediately after the disaster,it said in a statement.

In addition,the Commission will provide the Caribbean nation Euro 107 million as a speedy assistance for restoring the infrastructure and for strengthening the capabilities of the government.

At least Euro 200 million has been earmarked for meeting the country’s short and long-term requirements. The overall aid pledges of the EU’s member-nations so far amounted to more than Euro 92 million,it said.