Emergency funding for the crisis in Haiti

The European Commission has responded quickly to new needs arising from the conflict in Haiti, by earmarking €1.8 million in emergency humanitarian aid. The main focus of this decision (€1.5 million) is the provision of emergency health care and protection to help victims of the violence. Funds will be channelled through the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson.

Commenting on the decision, Mr Nielson said: "I am pleased to announce that the Commission will provide rapid relief for vulnerable Haitians affected by the recent crisis. It is clear that international support is needed, particularly in the health sector. Thanks to a co-ordinated response from the Commission and the French government, seven Red Cross ambulances will be airlifted to Haiti".

Haiti has been faced with a serious political and socioeconomic crisis for several years. The recent crisis has aggravated the situation creating additional and urgent humanitarian needs. The Commission has therefore earmarked €1.8 million for emergency humanitarian aid to Haiti. Operations will focus on emergency health care and protection.

Emergency health care

The events of the last few weeks have crippled the Haitian health service. Although the demand for emergency treatment has increased, most clinics and hospitals are not working because equipment has been destroyed and medical personnel have fled the violence. There are only eight Red Cross ambulances in the country, making it very difficult to transport casualties to hospital in good time. ECHO has therefore decided to fund seven ambulances to be provided by the French Red Cross, as well as measures to set up an effective ambulance network. The French Government has agreed to pay for the airlift of the ambulances from France to Haiti.

Protection

The lack of security is a serious problem for humanitarian organisations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross has reported several breaches of international humanitarian law, including the kidnapping of wounded patients in hospital. This decision will help ECHO's partners in Haiti to protect the victims of the violence, by, for example, reinforcing protection in hospitals.

ECHO will also fund essential humanitarian co-ordination work carried out by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - to ensure that international aid efforts are used to best effect. This decision is expected to benefit three million citizens living in the worst hit cities, including the capital Port-au-Prince.

At the moment humanitarian organisations have very little information about the situation of people living in rural zones that are difficult to access. ECHO is monitoring the situation constantly from its Regional Office based in neighbouring Dominican Republic, and a second funding decision will be prepared as soon as further needs are identified.

More information on ECHO activities:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm

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