06/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - In 2008, the European Commission took 90 funding decisions totalling €937 million to meet needs resulting from humanitarian crises in more than 60 countries. The initial €751 million budget was increased on a number of occasions to respond to further natural disasters throughout the year, and, in particular, as a result of the sharp rise in food prices, says the 2008 report by the Humanitarian Aid Directorate General (ECHO), which was adopted on 1 July. Of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries, the most funding was granted to Sudan (€167 million) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (€45.5 million + €8 million for “ECHO Flight”). In the Middle East, €82.8 million were awarded to cover food needs in the West bank and the Gaza Strip. (L.C./transl.rt)