The European Commission has allocated a further €21 million in humanitarian aid for the Horn of Africa: Assistance is being provided to vulnerable populations in Somalia (€13m), Eritrea (€4m) and Ethiopia (€4m). So far in 2008, the Commission has provided nearly €120 million in humanitarian aid, including food aid, to needy people in the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda). The funds are channelled through the Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "The challenges in the Horn of Africa are huge and multidimensional. On the strictly humanitarian side, the area has suffered persistent drought in recent years and more and more people are struggling to survive. Humanitarian aid is an expression of Europe's solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. We are committed to supporting those most in need in this and other crisis zones."

Somalia: €13 million

The Commission's assistance will focus on rural populations and internally displaced people (IDPs). It addresses core humanitarian needs, with emergency relief assistance for IDPs, host communities, the most marginalised groups and the chronically vulnerable, focusing on central and southern Somalia. The main needs identified are shelter and non-food relief items, health and nutrition, emergency food assistance, water and sanitation, as well as co-ordination of relief efforts. The Commission has also provided food aid worth €14 million so far this year. Humanitarian aid worth more than €56 million has been provided for Somalia since 2006.

Eritrea: €4 million

The Commission's humanitarian aid targets vulnerable people in rural areas around the country, focusing mainly on the provision of nutrition, water and sanitation, basic health services and agricultural/livelihood support. Since 2006, the Commission has provided relief aid to Eritrea worth €16 million (not counting allocations from the Commission's €30 million Regional Drought decision for the Greater Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia: €4 million

The Commission's assistance covers health, water and sanitation, protection and support for refugees/IDPs. The Commission has also provided food aid worth €19.5 million so far this year. Since 2006, the Commission has allocated €48.5 in relief assistance in Ethiopia (not counting funds from the aforementioned €30 million Regional Drought decision).

Commission-funded relief projects are implemented by non-governmental organisations, specialised UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. ECHO has a regional support office in Nairobi, and a field office in Addis Ababa. Commission relief experts closely follow developments in the humanitarian situation and play an active role in the local coordination of relief efforts. They also monitor the use of the Commission's relief funds.