EU begins paying social allowances to Palestinians

[tocqueville]

15 minutes ago

LAPPEENRANTA, Finland (Reuters) - The European Union has begun paying social allowance to hundreds of thousands of needy Palestinians under a temporary mechanism agreed by the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers.

Allowances of around 270 euros ($346), would be given to 625,000 people who had suffered "a significant loss of income due to the financial crisis, to pensioners and other social hardship cases," the executive European Commission said on Friday.

Announcing the move, Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner called for the mechanism -- which also covers essential supplies for hospitals and assistance to maintain energy supplies -- to be continued beyond a review period this month.

"I believe it is crucial that the mechanism should be continued," she said, on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Finland, adding that it was bringing "very concrete benefits to the Palestinian people."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060901/wl_nm/eu_mideast_aid_dc

[bemildred]

1. Good. nt

[breakaleg]

2. Good. They certainly need the help.