Brussels, 12/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - As a result of the worsening drought in the Horn of Africa and famine spreading in Somalia, the European Commission confirmed on Monday that it was to grant an additional €60 million in emergency aid, which now brings its response to this crisis to €160 million. “More than 13 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa. People need food, shelter, water and protection. It is simply unacceptable that a child should die of starvation in the 21st century”, said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
This new injection of funds comes from the Commission's reserve budget for emergency assistance. Having already been approved by the European Parliament, it was given the green light of the Council of the EU without debate on Monday.
The money will go to help the most vulnerable people in Somalia, where famine has now hit six southern regions (the spread to a sixth region is recent), Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. (A.N./transl.fl)