A cholera epidemic has broken out in Guinea, affecting the local population as well as refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone. The European Union is making available a grant of 100,000 ECU to combat it.

The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is working with Medecins sans Frontieres-Belgium (MSF-B) on this project. The money will pay for medical staff on the spot and for kits to treat patients. It will also cover repairs to treatment centres, and training for local staff.

The action will last two months, and at least 500,000 refugees stand to benefit from the availability of medical care, as well as the local population whose numbers are hard to estimate.

A separate grant of 20,000 ECU will improve sanitation for some 140,000 families hosting refugees from Sierra Leone. This action will take place in Guinea's Forecariah prefecture. OXFAM, the British non-governmental organisation, will construct 700 latrines.