Summary: European Commission allocates €2 million in humanitarian aid to drought in Mozambique (Brussels: 13 March 2006)
The European Commission is providing humanitarian aid worth €2 Million to communities affected by prolonged drought in southern and central Mozambique. More than 800,000 people are estimated to be particularly at risk. Among the most vulnerable are children and households headed either by children or by grandparents.
This is the first time since 2001 that it has been necessary for the Commission to mobilise humanitarian funding for operations in Mozambique. The emergency measures being financed will provide access to safe water and prevent water-borne diseases. They include rehabilitation of boreholes and water tanks; water chlorination; the construction of toilet, hand washing and laundry facilities; distribution of soap and other hygiene items; and public health education. Given the heavy burden of HIV/AIDS in the targeted areas, all humanitarian interventions will include a component dealing with HIV/AIDS awareness.
The support is being channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Humanitarian aid programmes are implemented through operational partners, including specialised United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent movement and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
This new decision comes on top of a multi-annual food security programme, worth €15 Million each year that the Commission is funding to help deal with chronic food insecurity in the south and east of the country.
The Commission also has an ongoing commitment to deliver longer term support to Mozambique. In this context, it is financing a substantial development programme under the ninth European Development Fund (EDF), focusing on transport infrastructure, macro-economic support and health interventions.
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