Brussels, 23/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission recently adopted five humanitarian decisions. Emergency aid of EUR 1.5 million was granted to help victims from Côte d'Ivoire affected by internal conflict. The objective of the decision is to provide basic health assistance (drugs and medical supplies) and supplementary food rations for the most seriously affected populations. Some 1.3 million euros will go to Georgia, which continues to face considerable humanitarian needs due to the conflict that broke out in 1992 and led to the displacement of 250,000 people and a serious economic disruption. The ECHO financing will be used for the distribution of dry foodstuffs, the maintenance of canteens and an income-generating programme. The funding will be targeted especially at the elderly and destitute. EUR 0.5 million in aid will be provided to Armenia, to help subsistence farmers in the southern part of the country affected by droughts in 2000 and 2001. The aid will help consolidate food security in areas vulnerable to drought through training initiatives and the installation of irrigation systems. The funds will also be used to promote diversification and sustainable farming activities. Aid of EUR 0.75 million will go to Senegal to fund a massive vaccination campaign to combat an outbreak of yellow fever. Finally, EUR 156.5 million will go to refugees from Myanmar, Thaïland. The number of refugees has risen from 10,000 to 144,000 since 1984. These people, many of whom live in camps just inside the Thai border, are entirely dependent on international assistance for their basic needs. Over the years, ECHO has financed the establishment of effective health and water/sanitation services in the camps but given the increase in the number of refugees, it is necessary to maintain and develop these infrastructures to prevent epidemics and ensure minimum standards of care. The funding provided under this decision will be used to provide access to drinking water, hygiene structures and health care for around 56,000 people in four camps.