The European Union will release further substantial aid for victims of the devastating tsunamis in Asia after an initial pledge of €3 million, the bloc's executive said today.
"There is no doubt that we are talking about substantial sums as this is one of the world's worst natural disasters for many years," Mr Louis Michel, European Commissioner responsible for humanitarian aid, said in a statement.
"The Commission is able to mobilise up to €30 million promptly through its emergency procedures."
The European Commission, the executive arm of the 25-nation EU, yesterday allocated €3 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross to meet vital initial needs.
It said the exact amount of further funding would depend on needs assessments and on requests made to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) by agencies on the ground.
"No one watching the events unfolding yesterday on our television screens can fail to be moved," said Michel, who plans to visit areas affected by the tidal waves.
"The tragedies of so many stricken communities demand a speedy and massive international response to complement the assistance being mobilised at national level."