BRUSSELS, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission announced Tuesday it would provide a further 7.4 million euros (about 10.4 million U.S. dollars) for humanitarian aid for vulnerable Palestinians and 5 million euros for vulnerable Iraqis, with the funds to be used mainly for food aid for some 1.9 million people in the two regions.

    The funds have been allocated in response to an urgent appeal by UN institutions, which was triggered by sustained humanitarian needs and the world-wide increase in food prices in early 2008, said the commission.

    "Many vulnerable Palestinians and Iraqis depend on the international community to cover their basic humanitarian needs, notably food. In these times of price increases and gloomy economic perspectives, they can count on the solidarity of European citizens. The European Commission continues to be one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians as well as the Iraqis," said European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel.

    The above mentioned funds will be implemented through projects by non-governmental relief organizations, specialized UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, said the commission. (1 U.S. dollar = 0.7115 euros)