Brussels, 09/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission announced it has released an additional €15 million in humanitarian aid for the victims of the protracted crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. This will enable partners to continue providing victims with food and nutritional support, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, emergency health care and protection for vulnerable civilians. The aid will be channelled through ECHO, the European Commission's humanitarian aid department, which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. Commenting on the decision, Louis Michel said: “There is a glimmer of hope in Sudan which is encouraging some people displaced by conflict to return home. The Commission insists that these returns must be safe and voluntary, to ensure that Sudan stays on the path to peace.” This decision will help to address some of the most pressing humanitarian needs: the lack of health service and water supply, overcrowded camps, and food shortages due to the poor harvest. Funds will ensure that life saving activities for people remaining fully dependent on humanitarian aid can continue. The new aid brings to €113 million the total amount mobilised by ECHO in favour of vulnerable people in Darfur since the beginning of the crisis in February 2003. ECHO remains committed to Sudan in general and is closely monitoring the situation in South and East Sudan. A total of €152 million has been mobilised in Commission humanitarian aid for Sudan (including Darfur) since 2004.