European commissioner for aid Christos Stylianides announced the funding on Saturday.

It is part of an overall aid package for the region, including €6m for Colombia, the country where he made the announcement during an official visit.

Stylianides said: "The European Union's commitment to support Latin America is stronger than ever.

“Here in Colombia, our new EU funding will help on two fronts: addressing the humanitarian consequences of the decades-long conflict in the country and helping reinforce the region's preparedness and response to natural disasters.

“We have also announced new funding for those affected by the crisis in Venezuela: supporting those in need is a priority for the EU."

The funding also includes €2m to people in Venezuela.

The aid package comes on top of the bloc’s other aid programmes and support to the region, such as the EU Trust Fund for Colombia.

Since 1994, the Commission has provided over €1bn in humanitarian assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on the populations most affected by natural disasters and violence.

The funding includes €6.9m for food assistance, disaster risk reduction and support to those affected by violence in Central America and Mexico. 

Another €3m will support disaster risk reduction activities in the South American region while €5m is for emergency food assistance in Haiti and a further €6.3m going for disaster risk reduction in the country.

Additionally, €2m will support disaster risk reduction and resilience interventions in the Caribbean.