The Philippines are among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Typhoons, floods, earthquakes and volcanos are a constant threat. The European Union plans to work with local governments on the spot to provide training for officials involved in disaster management and relief.

The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) will provide funding of 120,000 ECU for projects to last a year from August 1995.

The projects will be carried out under the auspices of the Philippine National Programme on Community Disaster Preparedness. It will reach a total of 780 local government employees, 10 per province, and the aim is to train trainers at hands-on and on-site programmes. The training should strengthen the capacity of local government units to manage disaster and relief operations.