Brussels, 24/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to release a total of EUR 7.5 million in order to finance humanitarian aid operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh and the Moluccas. The assistance is channelled through local partners of its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), and will be used as follows:
- EUR 4 million are available for financing operations (such as the supply of tents and emergency kits, food aid, seed distribution, and structural improvements in water supplies) in Afghanistan and in the neighbouring regions of Pakistan and Iran, following the dramatic worsening of the drought. This amount is addition to humanitarian aid of EUR 5.5 million granted in July 2000.
- Emergency humanitarian aid of EUR 1.5 million is earmarked for victims (3 million persons) of flooding in the western districts of Bangladesh. EU aid will mainly be used for improving drinking water supplies and sanitation, as well as the provision of health care to reduce the risk of epidemic. Targeted distribution of shelters and food will also be provided for isolated groups in flooded areas.
- EUR 2 million has been approved for displaced populations (around 500,000 persons) in the Moluccan islands of Indonesia, following the civil war that has devastated the region since early 1999. EU assistance will be for the provision of food and essential hygiene products for displaced persons, specific help to groups identified as particularly at risk, and the rehabilitation of a cargo ship for delivering food and other essential supplies in the northern part of the archipelago where some 180,000 displaced persons have taken refuge.