BRUSSELS, Sept 23, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), on Friday approved an additional one million euros in aid for victims of floods in Guyana,to follow up on previous decisions worth 1.7 million euros.
A separate decision worth 1.2 million euros will fund recovery support for the most vulnerable populations affected by hurricanes Ivan and Emily in Grenada.

Both decisions will be managed by ECHO, the Commission's department for humanitarian aid, said a press release of the Commission.

IP/05/1069

Brussels, 26 August 2005 -The Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) launched its 5th DIPECHO (for Disaster Preparedness ECHO) Action Plan for the Caribbean. €3.5 million will be allocated for disaster preparedness in the region. The main objective is to increase the capability of vulnerable populations living in areas most affected by recurrent natural hazards to cope with the effects of natural disasters.

"The 2004 hurricane season and the beginning of the 2005 season have once again tragically demonstrated the region's

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries.
In Brief

Appeal No. 05EA001; Operations Update no. 5; Period covered: 15 April to 24 June, 2005; Appeal coverage: 68.9%;

Appeal history:

fLaunched on 24 January for CHF 2,042,000 (USD 1,721,727 or EUR 1,320,872) for 8 months to assist 30,000 beneficiaries (6,000 families).

- Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) allocated: CHF 300,000.

Georgetown, GINA, June 30, 2005 - The Planning Recovery and Implementation Secretariat is in the process of distributing flood relief cheques to the initial batch of rice farmers. It has also completed the initial disbursement of the $10,000 household assistance.

During the extended period, May 21 -- 29, numerous claims were made for flood relief, in addition to many appeals and queries.

Head of the Secretariat, Robeson Benn said, "We were surprised to have so many claims, but after verifying these claims payments will be made shortly."

Approximately 61,000 householders cheques

Georgetown, GINA, June 13, 2005 - Head of the Planning Recovery and Implementation Secretariat Robeson Benn has written to Pastor Rudolph Holder, Dem Amstel, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), who has accused Benn of authorizing him to use ordinary paper for registering persons seeking Government's flood relief assistance.

Pastor Holder also alleged that Benn gave him the authority to register persons seeking the $10,000 flood relief grant indefinitely.

Benn in his letter to Pastor Holder stated, "I would be happy if you could please turn over to the bearer, Mr.

SNAPSHOT

UNDAC Teams deployment since 01 Jan. 2005 - to date:

- Sri Lanka-Earthquake/Tsunami

- Maldives-Earthquake/Tsunami

- Thailand-Earthquake/Tsunami

- Indonesia-Earthquake/Tsunami

- Seychelles-Earthquake/Tsunami

- Guyana - Floods

- Tokelau - Cyclone Percy

- Cook Islands- Cyclone Percy

- Dominican Republic. - Floods

- Indonesia - Earthquake

ASSISTANT EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR AND DIRECTOR OF OCHA GENEVA, MISSIONS TO:

- Abu Dhabi - ODSG Meeting, 7-10 May 2005

Georgetown, GINA, May 26, 2005 - The Planning Recovery and Implementation Secretariat is again reiterating that only persons who have been under flood waters for more than two weeks are eligible for Government's household flood relief grant.
Head of the Secretariat, Robeson Benn said persons are turning up at Registration Centers to claim for the flood relief, but they do not meet the required criteria. At the moment the Secretariat has an ongoing exercise where persons who have missed registration and have queries and appeals have an opportunity to do so at Centres advertised.

Georgetown, GINA, May 20, 2005 - Locations have been identified by the Planning Recovery and Implementation Secretariat for persons who have missed registration, and have queries and appeals for Government's flood relief package.

Heads of households who were unable to register for the $10,000 grant can go to specific points to address their claims. Centres will be opened from10:00 hrs to 18:00hrs.

The completed declaration for household relief should be returned by 18:00 hrs on the date issued.

United States provided disaster-relief aid to South American nation

By Eric Green, Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The South American nation of Guyana has thanked the international community for helping it recover from floods in January that left thousands of people without shelter, food or drinkable water.

In a May 19 statement released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Guyana's health minister, Leslie Ramsammy, said the floods that affected half of his nation's population highlighted the importance of how international partnerships can help a