EU sends Liberia an extra 13 million dollars in aid

Aug 6, 2010, 11:34 GMT

Brussels - The European Union's executive on Friday sent Liberia an extra 10 million euros (13 million dollars) in aid to provide health care to an estimated 500,000 people.

Liberia was ravaged by civil war for 14 years until 2003, and many people in the country still lack basic health care and rely on support from donor organizations to survive.

The European Commission 'is allocating an extra 10 million euros in humanitarian aid for Liberia. This assistance will directly or indirectly benefit around 500,000 vulnerable people across Liberia, by improving access to healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation,' a statement released in Brussels said.

At the same time, the aid will help to bridge 'a funding gap during the shift from humanitarian to development funding,' the statement said.

The commission has donated over 100 million euros to Liberia since the civil war ended. That money is seen as having played a crucial role in stabilizing the country after its conflict.

Most of the funding allocated on Friday - 7 million euros - is intended to keep up support for health care, sanitation, clean water supplies and emergency services.

The rest of the money is intended to make sure that those aid projects keep working while the commission shifts its focus from crisis management to longer-term development and rehabilitation.