Brussels, 05/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has approved the granting of EUR 2 million more humanitarian aid to the people of East Timor in the runup to East Timor gaining its independence. The aid comes from ECHO's budget (the European Community Humanitarian Office) and is mainly provided for a programme of rebuilding shelters and sanitation measures (fighting against a number of childhood diseases and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS), psychological support and repatriation/reinstallation aid, all implemented by ECHO in the field.
Since December 2000, ECHO has granted nearly EUR 20 million in aid to East Timor.