T

he European Union is pledging an additional 500,000 euros (US$569,252) to step up its emergency response to the earthquake disaster that hit Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, bringing its overall contribution to aid relief to 650,000 euros, according to a press statement.

“We stand by the Indonesian people affected by the recent earthquakes in Lombok”, said the EU’s commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylianides.

“This additional contribution will provide crucial support to those in need and ensure that the most vulnerable among the affected people have enough means to cope through this difficult time,” he said in the statement on Tuesday.

The latest allocation comes in addition to the initial 150,000 euros delivered earlier this month. In addition to that, the Netherlands and Spain have provided an extra 500,000 euros and 100,000 euros respectively for the cause.

The aid package will support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS) in providing relief assistance and protection to the most vulnerable among the affected population.

As of Monday, at least 390 people were killed and more than 1,300 injured when two major earthquakes measuring 6.4 and 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the popular Indonesian resort island over the course of one week. The tremors ravaged more than 67,000 homes, leaving over 300,000 people displaced.

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is the beneficiary of the funds that have been channeled through the IFRC.