Brussels, 31/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on 31 July to grant further aid of EUR 9.5 million to cover the urgent needs of the most vulnerable sections of the Palestinian population, which brings humanitarian aid to Palestinians in 2002 to a total of EUR 18 million. On this occasion, European Commissioner Poul Nielson spoke of the "growing humanitarian tragedy facing the Palestinian people as the crisis in the Middle East drags on". He added that "the indicators for health and nutrition, in particular, are highly alarming with big increases in the numbers of malnourished children and in the incidence of preventable diseases". A large part of the aid will go to the health sector and especially to action in favour of children under the age of five, psychosocial treatment for children and adolescents, training for medical staff and health education. Aid will also contribute to improving water supply, sanitation and electricity systems and for shelter rehabilitation. Projects will be implemented by ECHO partners on the ground: UN agencies, NGOs and Red Cross organisations.