The European Commission on Friday announced a decision to offer a financial aid of 1.7 million euros (about 2 million US dollars) to tropical storm victims in El Salvador and Guatemala.

The two countries have been badly affected by floods following the passage of Tropical Storm Stan, and the needs for aid in El Salvador have also risen due to the Ilamatepec volcano eruption.

The money will cover the provision of hygiene kits, food rations, water and primary health care to 6,000 families in El Salvador and Guatemala, the executive arm of the European Union (EU) said in a press release.

More than 30,000 people will benefit from the EU financial aid.

The assistance will enable EU's humanitarian aid partner agencies on the ground to start their operation immediately, the press release added.

The EC made the emergent decision less than 24 hours after the Salvadorian government declared a state of emergency.

The rainy season starting from the beginning of October in El Salvador has led to the deaths of 49 people. About 33,000 people have been accommodated in temporary public shelters.

In Guatemala, the death toll has reached 72. A full assessment of the overall situation is yet to be made, as the worst-affected populations reside in mountainous areas where access is limited.

Source: Xinhua