BRUSSELS, Aug 12 (Bernama-dpa) -- The European Union is providing humanitarian aid worth €2.1 million (US$2.4 million) to Colombia after the country was struck earlier this week by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 that killed at least 181 people.
“As search and rescue operations continue, the EU is supporting Colombia wherever possible," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, reported German news agency dpa.
The funding is intended to help deliver "health, water, sanitation and hygiene material, as well as shelter, food, protection and cash assistance" to those most affected by the tremor, the European Commission said.
On Tuesday, the commission provided €100,000 to the German Red Cross present in hard-hit regions of Chocó and Valle del Cauca to cover the immediate needs of 2,500 families.
The EU has also made its satellite mapping services available to support emergency operations on the ground.
The commission remains in contact with Colombian authorities "to coordinate assistance as needs evolve on the ground," a press release said.
--BERNAMA-dpa