Brussels, 15/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to grant EUR 500,000 in immediate humanitarian aid to the victims of Hurricane Ibis that struck Belize on 9 October 2001. This is intended to cover the needs of the 8,000-10,000 homeless persons who remain without shelter, food or access to basic medicines and drinking water. The decision was taken under the EU's Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO's primary emergency aid procedure.