Manila  - The European Commission has earmarked 9.9 million dollars to civilians affected by violence in the strife-torn southern Philippines, an official said Monday.

Alistair MacDonald, head of delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines, said 5.68 million dollars would be used to help people affected by recent clashes between soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the southern region of Mindanao.

The remaining 4.22 million dollars would be used to provide longer-term rehabilitation assistance for displaced people and host communities affected by the conflict, MacDonald said.

MacDonald reiterated the appeal of the European Union for the government and the MILF to return to the negotiating table to end nearly two months of intense clashes that have impacted more than 500,000 people.

"I wouldn't say it's a humanitarian crisis," he said at a press briefing. "... I would say it's a very serious humanitarian problem. There's a very large number of people who have been affected by the conflict."

MacDonald said it was the Philippine government who requested the European Commission "to look into the possibility of providing assistance to Mindanao."

"The efforts of local and national governments are reaching their limits, and their resources are completely overstretched," he said.

More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting between the MILF and government troops erupted in August after the Supreme Court stopped a deal that would have expanded the existing autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dissolved the government peace panel negotiating with the MILF. She vowed not to return to the negotiating table until MILF commanders who seized villages and attacked towns are brought to justice.

Last week, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund made separate announcements about providing aid to displaced people in Mindanao. (dpa)