Developing countries, including those in the Caribbean region affected by more frequent storms, floods and drought are likely to benefit from funding being made available by the European Union. The EU has pledged to give the world's poorest nations at least US$69 million to help them cope with disasters linked to climate change. The European Union has not only acknowledged that natural disasters are increasing but it in the last two months gave some US$34 million in EU funds to victims of hurricanes, floods and drought in Colombia, the Caribbean, Kenya and some seven other countries. That's according to EU Development Commissioner Louis Michele, he says the funding for a new global climate change alliance is only the start up. He is encouraging European Union nations to add their own money to the pot because he says a lot more is needed to reduce poverty and save lives. The funds aim to help people prepare better for natural disasters and will pay for measures such as flood defenses and reducing emissions from deforestation. He says top priority will go to the least developed countries and small island states. The EU said it was setting up the fund because it has a leadership role in promoting action to tackle climate change. Reprinted from radioja.com