BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The European Union is providing an additional €500,000 in humanitarian aid to Dominica, following the severe destruction caused by Hurricane María last month.

On September 18, María, a category 5 hurricane, hit Dominica leaving more than 70,000 people in need of urgent relief.

“We aim to increase our support to families who are displaced and living in collective centres or with host families since the hurricane, and are in need of shelter, food and water,” said Androulla Kaminara, ECHO’s Director of Operations for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The additional aid will provide immediate shelter and household material for 5,000 vulnerable families in Dominica. Shelter kits, as well as housing repair materials, training and technical support will be provided to the most vulnerable whose homes have been damaged.

”The EU has been committed since the very beginning to support Dominica after the tragedy. We are now committed to further assist Dominica in early recovery and reconstruction,” said Daniela Tramacere, EU Ambassador to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

This additional humanitarian aid complements an initial grant of €250,000 which was allocated last month to alleviate the affected population’s most urgent needs.