Commission to increase emergency aid to Ethiopia

In response to the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) appeal for emergency requirements in 2003, the European Commission is currently preparing a €70 million emergency food aid assistance programme to be adopted before the end of the year. This new contribution is equivalent to about 260,000 metric tons (Mt) of cereals and will meet food aid requirements during the first half of the year 2003. This comes in addition to the food aid assistance already provided for the needs of the last quarter of 2002 (€23 million - 97,000 Mt) and non-food humanitarian aid worth €4 million allocated in November 2002 by the European Office for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson. This new contribution will bring the total EC emergency aid to the present crisis in Ethiopia up to €97 million for 2002. Member States are bilaterally providing €35 million in humanitarian aid and food aid in response to the present crisis in Ethiopia, bringing the total EU amount to €132 million.

The allocation of the additional €70 million should be approved before the end of 2002 and delivery of food to the most seriously affected is expected to start in February 2003. The aim is for the food to arrive in time to ensure the continuity of DPPC's distribution as needs for January are almost fully covered. Most of the funds will be allocated directly to the Government and local/regional purchase of cereals - whenever possible - will be given preference. Part of this allocation will also be made available for food aid distribution through national and international NGOs.

While relief is crucial to save lives, both Government and donors agree that the situation over the long term will not improve just with emergency food aid. The crisis can only be adequately addressed if, in parallel to the emergency response, substantial efforts are devoted to tackle the structural problems. This long-term support is the focus of the EC's assistance, both through its food security and budget support programmes.

Background

The EU emergency operations are focussing on food aid and other humanitarian assistance. The European Commission also provides Financial Assistance to support long-term food security by reducing vulnerability and increasing crisis preparedness.

See also

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1773|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

and

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=MEMO/02/261|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

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• Commission provides humanitarian aid to Ethiopia (29/11/2002)