BRUSSELS, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The European Commission has earmarked another 10 million euros (12 million US dollars) for the victims of the South Asia earthquake after an initial allocation of 3.6 million euros (4.3 million dollars).

    The funds will cover the most urgent needs including food, drinking water, shelter and medical aid, said the commission in a press release on Monday.

    "Our partners in the field are working flat out to meet the basic needs of those affected. It is a race against time. The commission is concerned to ensure that the aid is delivered as fast as possible, even to the most isolated villages," Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid was quoted by the press release as saying.

    Further funding may be allocated in the future as details about the scale of the needs become clearer, said the commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU).

    The commission allocated 3.6 million euros one day after the tragedy. Enditem