The European Union has made available €300,000 (P18 million) in response to widespread flooding, which wreaked havoc across many parts of the Philippines since mid-November.

This humanitarian aid will address the urgent needs of the most affected families in some of the hardest-hit districts in the eastern region of Visayas.

"The floods have caused massive destruction that affects hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines," said Arlynn Aquino, who oversees the EU's humanitarian programs in the Philippines. "To help, the EU immediately channels funding to support our partners to scale up their efforts in delivering essential aid to the affected families."

The assistance will support EU humanitarian partners already on the ground in delivering vital aid to those most in need.

This includes food and livelihood support, as well as access to clean water supplies, sanitation facilities and education.

Since mid-November, large parts of the Visayan Islands have witnessed above-average rainfall, which resulted in widespread flooding that rapidly submerged houses, inundated rice fields and damaged public facilities.

According to the government's data released on 22 November, close to 880,000 people have so far been affected, more than 74,000 of whom were displaced.

More than 130 evacuation centers have been set up across the five affected regions to accommodate those who have lost their homes. The floodwaters also contaminated natural water sources in the affected areas. The government declared a state of calamity on 21 November.

The EU funding is being made available via the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department of the European Commission.

With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year, providing assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.