06.08.2011, Jeddah, KSA – In addition to a previous relief aid package for the drought-stricken people in Somalia, the Board of Executive Directors of the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank, (IDB), has approved another US$ 1 million grant for rendering emergency relief aid to the victims thus raising to US$ 2.2 million the total of grants approved by the Bank to Somali people. Last April, the IDB allocated US$ 1 million to be spent on food, medication and rehabilitation of water wells in the famine-hit areas of Somalia through direct cooperation with Al-Manahal, Zamzam and Moin charity foundations. The first phase of the relief operation completed last June saw US$ 533,000 utilized to provide emergency food and medicine to 7250 famine stricken families in northern and southern Somalia. Two missions from the Islamic Development Bank have already visited Somalia to implement the relief operation approved by the Bank and a third mission is ready for for implementation of the second phase in coordination with “The Union of Arab Physicians, The Qatari Red Crescent, Zamzam Charity Foundation and Awn Al Mubashir Society”. Children and mothers have been categorized as first priority to receive the relief aid. Furthermore, the Bank will deliver US$ 350,000 worth of emergency relief items to drought hit areas in Somalia in coordination with the London-based Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW).