The Presidency of the Italian Episcopal Conference, at its September 25 meeting of the Permanent Council, renewed its closeness and solidarity with the people affected by the recent emergencies in North Africa and by the economic, social and political crises lingering in some Middle Eastern countries. "As a form of support," reads the final report, "the Presidency decided on the allocation of 2.5 million euros from the 8xmille funds that citizens allocate to the Catholic Church, after the first 300,000 euros allocated to deal with the earthquake emergency in Morocco. Through Caritas Italiana in connection with local networks, CEI's contribution will be allocated to the people of Morocco and Libya hard hit by the earthquake and floods, for emergency aid, interventions for the resumption of economic activities, reconstruction, psychosocial support, and initiatives for the recomposition of community ties".