EU to fund Djibouti desalination plant

Terra Daily via AFP: The European Union said Wednesday it will pay for most of a combined renewable energy and water desalination plant in Djibouti, to supply some 200,000 people, a quarter of the country's population.

EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs made the announcement with visiting Djibouti Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita, agreeing to provide some 40.5 million euros of the 46-million-euro cost.

The plant will be built near the northeast African country's capital, home to three-quarters of Djibouti's people and where water supply is less than half that required.