The European Union (EU) Monday assured continuing cooperation with the Philippines in the area of disaster risk reduction (DRR) as the country seeks to redeem itself from the recent visits of two destructive typhoons.

European Commission (EC) head of delegation to the Philippines Ambassador Alistair MacDonald reiterated that the European Commission has a “long-term commitment” to the Philippines in the area of disaster management.

“We’ve been working closely with [Philippine] national authorities, local government and local communities on disaster preparedness… We’ve been working with them for at least several years now [including on] several major programs in the Philippines and we will continue that,” MacDonald said.

Citing the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO)’s program with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), MacDonald said it is one of the EC’s “long-term commitment” to help the Philippines in the area of disaster management.

“The ECHO program itself will continue. It is a long-term commitment.

We added consultation here in Manila beginning July to review our program for the coming year,” MacDonald said.

In early September, the EC disclosed that it will be funding disaster risk reduction programs amounting to 10 million euros in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, as part of its commitment to assist countries highly at risk to natural disasters through the European Commission’s Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO).

The new DIPECHO programming cycle will run from 2010 to mid 2011, with a proposed allocation of 10 million euros across Southeast Asia including the Philippines.

Here in the Philippines, the DIPECHO supported the NDCC in the preparation of a Strategic National Action Plan for DRR.