September 13 (SeeNews) - The European Union on Thursday provided 3.0 million euro ($4.2 million) in humanitarian assistance to Moldovan farmers hit by this summer's drought, the European Commission said.
"The three million euro emergency decision is designed to make food available for small farmers and agricultural workers in southern Moldova and to sustain remaining livestock by providing feedstuffs for cows, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry," the commission said in a statement.
This summer was the hottest ever recorded in Moldova with air temperatures reaching a record high 41 degrees Celsius in July. High temperatures coupled with lack of rain, hitting agriculture hardest.
"The impact on food crops has been serious and the most vulnerable households, relying on home garden production for many food staples, face shortages. Many small farmers have also lost their 'savings' represented by livestock that have perished due to the lack of water," the commission said.
It added that in the medium-term, the Commission is planning to accelerate the disbursements under the macro-financial support for Moldova. "This will help to cover immediate external financing needs and shortfalls in Moldova's budget."
($=0.7203 euro)