EU pledges €4m aid to Asia emergency

The European Union today committed more than €4m in emergency aid to help victims of the massive earthquake and tidal waves that hit coastal communities in several south Asian nations.

Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel said it was important to deliver aid “in those vital hours and days immediately after the disaster”.

The 25-nation EU will deliver the aid through operational partners like the Red Cross/Red Crescent and other non-governmental organisations.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the assistance reaches those most badly affected by this terrible tragedy,” Michel said in a statement. More aid was expected to be committed later.