Brussels, 20/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted a further €30 million in humanitarian aid for victims of the fighting in Lebanon, to be channelled through the Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). The aid, already announced and earmarked in the budget, will help people returning to their home regions to rebuild their lives. The latest grant means that the European Commission has now granted €50 million in humanitarian aid to deal with the aftermath of the fighting in Lebanon. This €30 million grant will be used in six priority: Water and sanitation: families' access to drinking water will be restored; Shelter: people returning to their home regions will be provided with shelters, and lightly damaged homes with access to running water and electricity will be repaired. Social amenities, including hospitals and schools, will be rehabilitated; Food and household goods for the neediest families; Activities generating income for people in hardship; Healthcare and psycho-social counselling: Medical care and equipment will be provided, especially for the most vulnerable, including people injured in the fighting, disabled people and people with chronic illnesses. Psycho-social counselling will also be offered where necessary; and Mine clearance: Mine-awareness schemes will be carried out so that people can return to their home region and resume their activities safely. The grant will also fund broader coordination of aid activities, including close coordination with the Lebanese authorities. Relief activities will be implemented by ECHO's operational partners already on the ground. This emergency rehabilitation stage is expected to last until the summer of next year. (oj)