Brussels, 27/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - Following the floods that devastated the State of Orissa in India, the European Commission decided to immediately free EUR 2 million in emergency humanitarian aid for the victims, some 7.5 million people.
These funds, taken from the ECHO budget (Community humanitarian office) will finance the provision of foodstuffs, temporary shelters, drinking water and medical care as well as emergency help, by the ECHO partners on the ground: Save the Children's Fund (UK), Oxfam (UK), Concern (Ireland), DanChurchAid (Denmark), the Spanish Red Cross and Care (UK).
The financing decision was taken according to the fast track procedure, given the requests made by the humanitarian agencies. It will be completed by a formal decision for emergency aid, presently being prepared. Orissa is the second poorest State in India.