Summary: October 18, 2002: Humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa: The European Union's response rises to EUR 310 million (Brussels)
In response to the continuing humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa, the European Union (EU) today announced that its contribution has risen to €310 million. This amount is destined primarily to the hardest hit countries in the region; Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. This announcement was made at a European Commission regional seminar held over the last three days (15-17 October) in Pretoria where more than 40 representatives from EU Headquarters in Brussels and European Commission
Delegations in Africa met in order to discuss and improve the EU's response to the current crisis. In-depth discussions covered the various technical, political and management aspects of the crisis. Food and humanitarian aid has already been delivered to countries in the region via partners such as the World Food Programme, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and beneficiary governments.
Southern Africa is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, comprising a dramatic food security situation compounded by bad weather, political and economic problems and the deep impact of HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Commission recognises that the crisis is as much man-made as natural. Nor is this crisis a mere cyclical accumulation of circumstances but, rather, a structural humanitarian crisis that may well last for some time. Governments of the countries concerned need to firmly assume their
respective responsibilities and address the underlying structural issues of poverty.
The €310 million EU contribution covers 40 % of the total needs for the region. €177 million of this is managed directly by the Commission and covers 272,000 metric tonnes of food aid as well as non-food humanitarian aid. In line with the Food Aid Convention, the Commission has chosen to cover its in-kind food aid assistance by local and regional purchase so as not to disrupt local markets or local feeding habits. Over 90 % of food aid is being purchased this way.
One of the main conclusions of the seminar was the need to strengthen dialogue with beneficiary governments and the donor community so as to develop not only a short-term response but an adequate medium and long-term response which addresses the whole range of issues causing this current crisis. For the short-term response to be sustainable, it will have to be complemented by a medium and long-term strategy linking relief with development. The Commission strategy will propose a food security
approach comprising policy issues such as good governance, institutional support, HIV/AIDS, food price policies and water and sanitation. Distribution issues will also be addressed to ensure an effective and non-partisan delivery of aid.
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