Brussels, 01/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted a €5 million humanitarian aid package to continue meeting the needs of vulnerable groups in Tajikistan. The aid provided will focus on the financing of infrastructures to improve the health and living conditions of vulnerable communities and facilitate the establishment and functioning of a national medicine procurement system in order to reinforce local capacities. Funding will be channelled to NGOs and other international aid agencies based in Tajikistan via ECHO, the Commission's humanitarian aid service. Despite general improvements in the overall economic and social situation in Tajikistan, persistent pockets of poverty and subsequent humanitarian needs remain, the Commission points out. Tajikistan remains the poorest country of Europe and Central Asia and the population suffers from food insecurity, weak healthcare systems, and limited access to drinking water. Since 1993, the Commission has allocated some €146 million to address urgent needs in this region of Central Asia.