Press Release: Asian Tsunami: European Commission earmarks further EUR80 million in humanitarian aid

The European Commission on 31 January 2005 earmarked its fourth decision for the victims of the tsunami in Asia. This included a major contribution to the United Nations Flash Appeal of January 6. This latest decision was intended to benefit about two and a half million vulnerable people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and Thailand over an 18 month period. The decision brought total funds committed (and not simply pledged) by the European Commission to €103 million (more than $134 million). Funds were managed by the European Commission's humanitarian department, ECHO.