EU emergency aid to Eritrea

Eritrea is in the grip of a severe drought. Following the appeal for emergency requirements in 2003 in Eritrea, the European Commission is currently preparing a €10 million emergency food aid assistance programme to be adopted before the end of the year. This new contribution is equivalent to about 40,000 metric tons (Mt) of cereals, which will be available in the country starting from March 2003. This comes in addition to the food aid assistance already provided during the last quarter of 2002 (€5.8 million - 15.000 Mt). This new contribution will bring the total EC emergency aid to the present crisis in Eritrea up to €15.8 million for 2002. Member States are bilaterally providing €10.2 million in humanitarian aid and food aid in response to the present crisis in Eritrea, bringing the total EU amount to €26 million.

The allocation of the additional €10 million is due to be approved before the end of 2002 and distribution of food is expected to start in March 2003. The aim is for the food to arrive in time to ensure the continuity of food distribution and contribute to mitigating the effects of the imminent humanitarian crisis. The 40.000 Mt of cereals will be allocated directly to the Eritrean Relief and Refugees Commission (ERREC), thus complementing its distribution plans in the country. 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.

Background

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

EC response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa

Deficient rainfall during the last crop seasons in the Horn of Africa have seriously aggravated the already fragile humanitarian situation of an estimated 13.6 million people in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In addition to the emergency assistance previously provided for the needs of the last quarter of 2002 (€32.8 million), the Commission is currently preparing a €80 million food aid assistance programme to be adopted before the end of the year. This will bring the EC total contribution to the relief of the most vulnerable population of Ethiopia and Eritrea to €112.8 million (412,000 Mt of food aid).

Together with the EU Member States' bilateral contributions (€46.5 million), this brings the total EU response to the present crisis in the two countries to €159 million.

In both countries, the Commission continues its support for longer-term efforts to achieve food security.


See also:

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1822|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

for Ethiopia.

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• EU humanitarian aid for Eritrea (18/7/2002)
• EU Presidency declaration on peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea (12/12/2000)
• EU Presidency declaration on Ethiopia and Eritrea  (21/11/2000)