Vice President of the EC and High Representative of the EU Catherine Ashton said: "We are troubled by the reports on the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We are still gathering information to understand the impact on the population. My colleagues in the Commission and I offer our full assistance to Haiti and will mobilise all available instruments to support the population of Haiti in this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

Following initial assessments of the situation on the ground, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) will use its fast-track relief funding to provide a €3 million initial package of humanitarian assistance. The funding will be used to meet basic needs of the stricken population including shelter and medical assistance. Funding is channelled through experienced international relief organisations.

A Commission humanitarian expert arrived on 13 January in Port-a-Prince on a needs assessment mission with representatives of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), the Spanish Red Cross and the Dominican Red Cross. Other Commission relief experts are en route for Port-au-Prince. They will continue to work with the partners to assess the most urgent needs in order to provide further funding once these needs have been identified.

The Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) is preparing the civil protection response. Assistance in the form of search and rescue teams, water purification, advanced medical posts and field hospitals is being coordinated. An assessment and coordination team is also being assembled that will travel on site as soon as possible.

The EU is coordinating its overall relief effort with the UN.

See here for further information.