EU humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe

Summary: April 14, 2004: Zimbabwe: Commission allocates EUR 15 million in humanitarian aid (Brussels)

The European Commission has approved €15 million in humanitarian aid for vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe. This decision will enable the continuation of emergency food aid, agricultural rehabilitation, water, sanitation and health programmes. It will also provide assistance to internally displaced people and support humanitarian coordination efforts. The funds are managed by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson.

Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid Poul Nielson said: "Over the past few years we have witnessed a spectacular decline of living conditions for millions of Zimbabweans. By working through professional and independent partners ECHO has been able to ensure that EU humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable people in need. I urge the Zimbabwean authorities to continue to allow unfettered access for humanitarian organisations, so that the further development of this looming crisis can be prevented."

The political, economic and social situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate with approximately half of the population in need of food aid, a collapsed economy, and high levels of HIV-infections - causing an average of 2,600 adults and 690 children to die per week during 2003. The country now counts over one million orphans, three quarters of whom have lost their parents to AIDS. 'Forgotten' diseases such as cholera and dysentery are again showing epidemic dimensions because of the near-total collapse of water, sanitation and health services. This latest decision for Zimbabwe will address needs in the following sectors:

Food security: This includes food distribution to children in schools, and supplementary and therapeutic feeding for people suffering from malnutrition. Local farmers will be provided with seeds, tools and fertilisers to enable them to continue producing food. Assistance will be provided to help repair small crop irrigation systems, and provide veterinary care and vaccinations for livestock.
Health, water and sanitation: Water and sanitation systems in rural communities will be rehabilitated and new water points will be constructed. Through enhanced prevention of mother to child transmission, the consequences of HIV/AIDS will be sought mitigated. These efforts will be supplemented by HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and support for orphans and child-headed households (nutrition, psychosocial support, water and sanitation).

Farm acquisitions have deprived about 15% of the population that previously worked on commercial farms of a regular income. These former farm workers have no access to communal land, and many have left their region in search of work. These internally displaced people will be specifically targeted through food aid and access to health services, water and sanitation sectors.
Co-ordination: The collection of reliable data on emergency needs in Zimbabwe is a prerequisite for effective delivery of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable. Continued support will therefore be given to the co-ordination and data collection efforts of the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Unit (RRU).

An estimated 1,000,000 children, 500,000 farming households (about 2,500,000 people), and 150,000 orphans are expected to benefit from these activities.

ECHO's assistance will be implemented through international NGOs, UN and other international organisations.

With the current decision Echo humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe since 2001 has topped €54.5 million.

For more information see:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/field/zimbabwe/index_en.htm

For the French and German versions of this document please go to:

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/481|0|RAPID&lg=EN

Ref: EC04-088EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 14/4/2004

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