EU mobilizing emergency response instruments to help countries affected or threatened by Hurricane Irma

The European Union is mobilising its emergency response instruments to assist countries affected or threatened by Hurricane Irma.
 
European Union Ambassador Daniela Tramacere has offered her condolences on the loss of life in the region, following the passage of Hurricane Irma, and regretting the widespread damage inflicted on several Caribbean countries. She said: “The European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) is assiduously working to finalise the activation of our crisis response mechanisms.”
 
EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini had earlier expressed her sadness at the devastation and declared that: “The European Union fully supports our partners and friends in the Caribbean region and beyond at this time of great need, and our hearts go out to all the victims and all those affected by Hurricane Irma.”
 
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides also added his voice in this time of crisis: “The EU is working on a continuous basis to help the countries and areas affected by this disaster, and as a global player in emergency response to natural disasters we are fully alert to the latest hurricane. We have already taken immediate steps to prepare all our crisis response instruments. Our European Emergency Centre and our humanitarian aid offices in the Caribbean region are closely following all developments.”