14/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on Thursday 14 May, to grant €5.5 million for emergency humanitarian aid for the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the Pakistani Army offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley and surrounding area, in the north-east of the country. This aid is for the supply of shelters, clothing, drinking water and sanitation. The aid will distributed by the International Red Cross, the UN High Commission for Refugees and the World Health Programme, in strict accordance with the principles of neutrality and impartiality. “The European Commission is ready to step up its assistance if necessary,” said European Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel. (L.C./transl.rt)