Emergency Aid for the Antillies following cyclone Luis

The Commission has just decided to grant emergency aid to the populations of the French overseas territory in Guadeloupe (Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy and the mainland), several of the Dutch Antillies (Saint Maarten, Seba and Saint Eustatius), and the UK dependent territories (Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Monserrat) as well as ACP countries in the Antillies which suffered from the passage of cyclone Luis through the region on 6-9 September.

This humanitarian aid is intended to respond to the immediate needs of the populations affected by this catastrophe which caused the death of a number of people and left thousands homeless.

The amount of the aid destined for the region surrounding Guadeloupe and details for its implementation will be determined in the light of discussions that the Commission has launched with the humanitarian agencies and the competent French authorities as a function of their assessment of the local needs.

Mrs BONINO has approved aid of 900,000 ECU for the ACP countries affected. This aid will be managed by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and will be administered by the International Red Cross and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PHO/WHO). It is intended to respond to the basic needs of those affected (plastic sheeting, water containers, blankets and basic health supplies) and will be distributed over a period of 3 months.

In addition, ECHO has initiated negotiations with the intention of rapidly putting in place similar aid facilities for the affected populations in the British and Dutch overseas territories.

By this overall decision, the Commission aims to underline the European interest of responding in a coherent and effective way to demonstrate solidarity with the significant humanitarian needs which the Antillies region is facing.