EC allocates Euro 5.1 million in humanitarian aid

The European Commission (EC) has adopted a global plan worth euro 5.1 million (about US $4.7 million) for victims of the "continuing humanitarian crisis" in the countries of the Mano River Union, the EC Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO, reported. The targeted beneficiaries are refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Guinea and Sierra Leone which, together with Liberia, make up the Mano River Union. ECHO, through which the money will be channelled, said in a statement on Tuesday that while Sierra Leone has been the focal point of civil strife over the last 12 years, the conflict had directly affected neighbouring countries. "The situation in Sierra Leone has stabilised recently, with signs of progress towards a sustainable peace, but many people in the region are still displaced from their homes and there is a continuing need for humanitarian assistance," ECHO said. The bulk of new resources, it said, have been earmarked for UNHCR operations. Multi-sectoral support will also be provided, covering health, water and sanitation, shelter and non-food items for refugees and IDPs in Guinea. Guinea hosts an estimated 200,000 refugees from Sierra Leone while there are up to 30,000 Guinean IDPs, ECHO said. In Sierra Leone, the focus is on covering the basic needs of up to 80,000 former refugees who have returned to their country, but not yet to their home areas. ECHO said some of the returnees were going to host communities in safe parts of the country while others were being placed in temporary settlements. "In recognition of the fact that such an influx can put pressure on host communities, facilities being made available to returnees - such as health care, water supplies, sanitation and education - will also be extended to local resident populations," ECHO said.