The European Commission has allocated nearly €130 million this year in humanitarian aid for Latin American and the Caribbean, to address the needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the main ongoing emergencies. This includes over €1 million just approved to respond to the devastating floods in Brazil, which in past weeks have affected 90% of the territory of Rio Grande do Sul. Part of this funding will also be dedicated to reinforcing disaster preparedness, as the region is exposed to natural hazards that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

The announcement comes as Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is visiting Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. Today in Bridgetown, Barbados the Commissioner will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with several regional organisations and governments to increase cooperation in disaster risk management between the EU and Latin American and the Caribbean.

The largest allocation of EU funding is for Venezuela, with nearly €50 million. Most of the funding will help tackle the consequences of the protracted humanitarian crisis in the country and its regional impacts, while €5 million will be dedicated to disaster preparedness.