Brussels, 17/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has approved the grant of 2 million euros to finance emergency food aid operations in Ethiopia. The funds, being delivered by ECHO, the European Community Humanitarian Office, will enable the International Red Cross to provide additional rations of oil and Unimix (a fortifying mixture of soya and maize flour) to those hit hardest by the famine in the southern part of the country, under a programme designed to prevent a worsening of the condition of around 181,000 undernourished individuals. These special food rations could be increased once needs have been evaluated.
The rations will come on top of 432,526 tonnes of bulk cereals the Commission plans to deliver this year and the 110,000 tonnes that will be delivered in early 2001 as part of its comprehensive programme to combat famine in Ethiopia.
The Commission has also approved other food aid programmes, in Africa and Latin America (Colombia). EUROPE will return with details tomorrow.