Commission to provide ,e1/444 million in Humanitarian aid to Palestinians and Iraqis.

Summary: The European Commission has allocated e1/444 million to address the urgent

Humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable Palestinians and those

Populations affected by the conflict in Iraq. More than 1.5 million Palestinians

In the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, will

Benefit from e1/424 million in humanitarian aid. The funds will cover livelihood

Support, food assistance, the provision of basic health care as well as water

and sanitation services. Special attention is being paid to children,

particularly for psychological support. The other e1/420 million are being

allocated to provide protection and relief to Iraqi refugees, internally

displaced persons and other vulnerable populations affected by the conflict

in Iraq, both inside and outside the country.

Commission to provide e1/444 million in Humanitarian aid to Palestinians and Iraqis

The European Commission has allocated e1/444 million to address the urgentHumanitarian needs of the most vulnerable Palestinians and thosePopulations affected by the conflict in Iraq. More than 1.5 million PalestiniansIn the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, willBenefit from e1/424 million in humanitarian aid. The funds will cover livelihoodSupport, food assistance, the provision of basic health care as well as waterand sanitation services. Special attention is being paid to children,particularly for psychological support. The other e1/420 million are beingallocated to provide protection and relief to Iraqi refugees, internallydisplaced persons and other vulnerable populations affected by the conflictin Iraq, both inside and outside the country.

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said:"Large numbers of vulnerable Palestinians and Iraqis rely on the internationalcommunity to cover their basic humanitarian needs. Europe will not let them down.They can count on the solidarity of European citizens. The European Commissioncontinues to be one of the largest humanitarian donors for the Palestinians as wellas the Iraqis". All Commission relief funds are channelled through its Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Michel. Commission-fundedprojects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UNagencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

PalestiniansSince 2006, the European Commission has supported vulnerable Palestinians withhumanitarian aid worth e1/4206.6 million, including today's allocation. The Commissionhas a support office in Jerusalem to maximise the impact of its aid. It plays an activerole in the local coordination of relief efforts and monitors the use of its relief funds onthe spot.

IraqisSince 2006, the European Commission has supported vulnerable populations in Iraq,Syria and Jordan affected by the conflict in Iraq with humanitarian aid worth e1/437.8million, including today's allocation. When required, humanitarian assistance canalso be provided to other affected neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Turkey,Iran and Egypt. Commission humanitarian field experts in the region closely followthe development of the humanitarian situation of Iraqis in and outside the country.The humanitarian needs covered by the Commission's assistance include protection,food and non-food items (like household items and blankets), basic health care andpsychosocial support, maintenance of basic water and sanitation facilities, as well assupport for the coordination of relief efforts by the UN Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD)Humanitarian aid is just one pillar of the European Commission's overall response toboth crises. For the Palestinians, this overall response includes support to the UNagency for the Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and the so-called PEGASEmechanism Co an instrument to channel EU and international assistance as acontribution to the building of the Palestinian State. For Iraq, theCommission provides support through the Development and Co-operationInstrument (DCI). Reconstruction assistance also includes contributions to theInternational Reconstruction Funds Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) and structural support toimprove health and educational services.A[umlaut] 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

A[umlaut] 2008 Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)

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