By DPA,
Brussels : The European Union is sending 150,000 euros ($219,000) in aid to the victims of the tsunami in the Pacific islands of Samoa, officials in Brussels said Wednesday.
The money will be given to the Red Cross for front-line emergency work, European Commission spokesman John Clancy said.
While information from the disaster area is still scant, the EU expects that victims will need immediate medical treatment, shelter and fresh water.
Earlier on Wednesday, EU Aid Commissioner Karel de Gucht sent a message of condolences to the victims and their families and said that his department was “closely monitoring” the situation.