BRUSSELS, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The European Union has pledged $500 million in aid to Haiti and individual European countries have pledged a further $100 million, officials said.
Union ministers committed almost $200 million in short-term aid for Haiti's earthquake recovery with a further $300 million in long-term assistance, the Voice of America reported Monday.
Catherine Ashton, foreign policy chief of the 27-member organization, made the announcement at a news conference in Brussels, the VOA said.
"We have taken swift action," Ashton said. "We have immediately made available more than 20 million euros to assist on the ground, as well as the individual member states, who have sent a whole range of individual requirements to fulfill the needs -- from individuals to support medically, help with water sanitation, to provide the logistical support that's necessary."
Ashton said the European Union, in addition to offering emergency assistance, would offer professional assistance for the Haitian government to function, as many government buildings were damaged and many of civil servants have been killed and injured in the quake, VOA reported.
