EC gives over US $2 million in aid

The European Commission (EC) has allocated 2.5 million euros (about US $2.2 million) to help victims of drought and civil war in Somalia.

An EC statement said the aid would focus on central and southern regions of the country where, after a decade of violence and instability, most key infrastructures had been destroyed.

"Significant humanitarian needs have been identified in these areas, particularly in the health/nutrition, livestock, and water/sanitation sectors," the statement said. "Regular outbreaks of fighting between warring factions hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance."

It noted that the situation was aggravated by recurrent droughts and the absence of effective government structures. "The key objective of the new funding...is to meet the pressing health and nutritional needs of the most vulnerable sections of the population," it said.

Actions envisaged included supplementary and therapeutic feeding, the distribution of emergency seeds and tools, veterinary support and health interventions including cholera treatment. A range of partners operating in Somalia, including non-governmental organisations and Red Cross organisations, would implement the projects, the statement said.