EU responds to humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa

In response to the continuing humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa, the European Union (EU) today announced that its contribution has risen to €328.2 million for the six most affected countries. €177 million of this amount is managed directly by the European Commission and is made up of food aid, humanitarian aid and emergency distribution of seeds and fertilisers. Food and humanitarian aid is already being delivered to countries in the region via partners such as the World Food Programme, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and beneficiary governments. It will continue to be targeted to the poorest and most vulnerable groups including HIV/AIDS victims as well as to internally and externally displaced persons including refugees.

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 Commission is strengthening dialogue with beneficiary governments and the donor community so as to develop not only a short-term response but also 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 proposes a food security approach comprising policy issues such as good governance, institutional support, HIV/AIDS, food price policies and water and sanitation. Distribution issues are also being addressed to ensure an effective and non-partisan delivery of aid.

The €328.2 million EU contribution covers approximately 40 % of the total needs for the region. €177 million of this is managed directly by the Commission and covers 277,000 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.


For further information regarding the table detailing the different contributions to the Humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa, please see IP/02/1918:

HTTP://EUROPA.EU.INT/RAPID/START/CGI/GUESTEN.KSH?P_ACTION.GETTXT=GT&DOC=IP/02/1918|0|RAPID&LG=EN

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