Brussels, 18/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has taken nine decisions for providing aid to NGO activities in primary health care, rural rehabilitation, water supply and education in several provinces of Afghanistan and refugee camps in Iran and Pakistan. The European and Afghan NGOs "have proved to be solid and reliable partners", maintaining their activities "despite the withdrawal of expatriate staff after 11 September" explained Commissioner Chris Patten.
A press release points out that the Commission has granted around EUR 500 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 1991 and that EU aid (Commission plus Member States) in 2001 totalled 352 million. (See yesterday's EUROPE, p.14 on the Donor Conference on 20/21 December.)