EU Commits Aid for Vulnerable Iraqis, African Forest Conservation

The European Commission pledged EUR20 million (USD27 million) in humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups in

. Projects supported by the funding will be implemented by the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations specialized agencies. The bloc will also release EUR5.5 million to help

set up a new "trans-boundary peace park" as well as conserve the Gola forest. "The joint project will secure the long-term conservation of the rain forest, its biodiversity and global carbon storage benefits and will contribute to improved cross-border forest governance between Sierra Leone and Liberia," EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said.