Summary: May 17, 2001 : The Commission grants Euro 55.7 million in humanitarian aid to the Balkans (Brussels)
The European Commission has approved a comprehensive €55.7 million plan for the Balkans enabling the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) to continue providing assistance to refugees, displaced persons and other vulnerable population groups. The countries concerned by the decision are Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) and Albania. The plan covers the period to the end of February 2002. More than half of the sum available is for Serbia (€34.4 million),
which has the highest number of refugees in Europe. The aim is to meet humanitarian needs on the ground and reduce dependence on humanitarian aid, thus preparing for ECHO's gradual withdrawal from the Balkans and paving the way for longer-term development strategies. Assistance will focus mainly on the housing, health and social sectors.
In Serbia (€34.4 million), the funding will be used to provide food aid, health care, housing, assistance for host families and psychosocial support. ECHO is also continuing its support for vulnerable population groups: children, handicapped people, the elderly and minorities (Roma).
In Kosovo (€7.3 million), most humanitarian needs have been met but assistance is still needed in some fields: health, water supplies, support for the social sector and minorities, and the distribution of basic necessities (mattresses, stoves, blankets) to displaced persons and refugees from FYRM.
The primary aim of ECHO aid for Montenegro (€5.35 million) is to consolidate efforts already made in health, housing and self-sufficiency projects and to end beneficiaries' dependence on humanitarian aid. Operations in 2001 include the upgrading of primary health care centers and the supply of basic equipment.
For the three entities mentioned above, the presence on the ground of the European Agency for Reconstruction will facilitate the necessary coordination between donors.
In FYROM (€3.15 million) efforts will focus on food assistance for refugees from the crisis in Kosovo, social cases and people displaced as a result of the recent crisis in FYRM. ECHO will also fund community services and self-sufficiency projects.
In Albania (€5 million) ECHO will concentrate on the health sector, sanitation infrastructure and water supply.
Since the beginning of 2000, ECHO has allocated €222.2 million to the Balkans to meet the basic humanitarian needs of refugees, displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
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