Brussels, 14/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to increase by 10 million euros its humanitarian aid for the victims of the earthquake in southern Asia (particularly in Pakistan) to cover the most urgent needs of the devastated population in terms of food, drinking water, shelter which is resistant to the weather conditions, assistance and medical care. The funds, to be taken from the Echo budget (the Commission's humanitarian aid service) will be added to the 3.6 million euros mobilised the day after the earthquake in initial emergency aid (EUROPE 9045). “Our partners on the ground are working frantically to get the essential minimum to the population. It is a race against time. The Commission is concerned to see that aid gets there as quickly as possible, including to the most isolated villages”, declared Louis Michel, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid.