The European Commission has provided 3 million euros to help deal with initial humanitarian needs and to bring relief to the victims. A rapid response team from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) in Jakarta has also been sent to Padang to assess needs. The team will continue to closely monitor the situation in the affected region in view of offering further assistance, should this be requested. In addition, further assistance is also already given and will be further provided by the individual Member States.
In this difficult moment for many inhabitants of Sumatra, the EU Heads of Mission assured their solidarity and expressed their personal feelings of closeness with the people of Indonesia and in particular with the victims of this tragedy.