Brussels, 29/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission decided to finance, for up to EUR 12 million, humanitarian operations in several regions of the world. Funds will go to: ECHO Flight (humanitarian air service) in the Horn of Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo: 8.4 million for the transport of humanitarian workers and essential cargo to otherwise inaccessible areas; - Somalia: EUR 1.6 million for the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees from Ethiopia; - Burmese refugees: EUR 1.2 million for improving living conditions of some 50,000 persons living in refugee camps along the Thai border; - Laos: EUR 400 000 for mine clearance and health assistance for internally displaced persons; - and Burkina Faso: EUR 175 000 in support of a meningitis treatment programme implemented by one of the NGO partners of ECHO (European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office) to help an estimated 3 500 people (regions of Dori, Kaya and Gaoua).