Brussels, 24/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to extend the scope of its disaster risk reduction programme (DIPECHO) to four African countries of he Indian Ocean (Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi and the Comoros). €5 million have thus been earmarked in the ECHO budget (Commission's humanitarian aid department) to help these countries that are particularly vulnerable to tropical storms but which are ill-prepared to deal with them.
The funds may finance a whole range of activities allowing lives to be saved including disaster response practical training for community groups and institutions, early warning systems, public information campaigns and small-scale infrastructure works.
Implementation of projects is expected to begin in October 2008 before the onset of the next cyclone season. The DIPECHO programme finances similar action in six other regions (Caribbean, Central America, Latin America, Central Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia). (A.N./transl.jl)