An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January. Within hours of the disaster the EU provided €3 million for immediate relief activities.

EU countries reacted swiftly by activating its civil protection mechanism, enabling the EU to coordinate the assistance that each country is providing. Search and rescue teams from the EU have arrived and are active on the ground. Essential materials such as water purification, field hospitals and tents have also arrived.

"We must show, as we have done in the past, that we are indeed a ‘global community', able to find the resources needed to save lives and rebuild existences," said the EU high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton.

Commission relief experts, together with international partners in Haiti, are currently assessing the most urgent needs. Further funding is likely to follow once these have been identified.