Press Release: ‘Preparedness is essential to saving lives’. Commission provides € 27.325 million for disaster preparedness

In line with its commitment to support Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Commission allocated €27.325 million from the humanitarian aid budget to improve the capacities of communities at risk in Central America, Central Asia and South East Asia, so that they can better prepare for and protect themselves against natural disasters. The funds are to be channelled through the European Commission's humanitarian aid department (DG ECHO) under the direct responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. With these DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO) decisions, the Commission underlined its commitment to improving the capacities of communities at risk from natural disasters, in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.