EU provides over Rs 22.6 million assistance for Manipur areas affected by hailstorm, heavy rains

New Delhi [India], The European Union has provided over Rs 22.6 million in assistance in response to the recent hailstorm and heavy rains that hit Manipur in early May. Humanitarian assistance will provide vital assistance to the most affected people in some of the most affected areas. In a press release, the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan said, "The EU made available EUR250,000 (over 22.6 million Indian rupees) in response to recent hailstorms and heavy rainfall in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur Are." "This humanitarian assistance will provide vital support to the most affected people and some of the most affected areas. The aid will be delivered by the EU's humanitarian partner ADRA and will benefit more than 1,500 of the most vulnerable families," it said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Said in the release.On 5 May, severe hailstorm lashed large parts of Manipur, causing widespread damage to over 48,000 houses. The destruction of infrastructure, agricultural land and crops in 16 districts lasted for 15 minutes, causing major flooding in urban areas, according to a press release from the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan. Notably, India and the EU have relations since the 1960s. At the beginning of the decade, when India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community, relations between India and the EU were upgraded to a 'Strategic Partnership' at the 5th India- EU summit. Earlier this month, EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delfin said that India is a country that has "gained tremendous importance for the EU" and that the partnership "will deepen further". Speaking at an event on Europe Day celebrations in New Delhi, the EU envoy said, "In this turbulent environment, there is one country, and one relationship that has gained tremendous importance for the EU, and that is India. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar was the chief guest at the event organized on the occasion of Europe Day, which is held every year on May 9 to celebrate peace and unity in Europe.