BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The European Union Tuesday announced that it was making available EURO 50,000 (One Euro =US$1.29 cents) to Belize in humanitarian funding following the passage of Hurricane Earl last week.

The EU said that the funding to assist the most affected populations.

The storm, which hit the country on August 4 as a Category One hurricane, caused widespread damage and the authorities are still assessing its impact.

Schools, markets, airports and ports were closed, and water supplies affected in several parts of the country. Initial assessments indicated that 3,500 people were evacuated to 94 shelters across the country

The EU said that the funding will support the Belize Red Cross in delivering much needed relief, including access to safe water, sanitation services and hygiene promotion, reduction of risks for vector and waterborne diseases, non-food items and livelihood asset replacements for the most vulnerable families.

“The humanitarian aid will directly benefit 2 200 persons, who had their homes damaged and are currently without water or electricity, in areas currently affected by flash floods,” the EU said, adding that the funding is part of its overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Schools, markets, airports and ports were closed, and water supplies affected in several parts of the country. Initial assessments indicated that 3 500 people were evacuated to 94 shelters across the country.