European Commission to provide €70 M to boost the transition and fight poverty in Somalia

The European Commission has decided to provide €70 million for a Somalia Recovery Programme (SRP). Somalia is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 43.2% of the population living on less than $1 a day and an infant mortality rate estimated at a catastrophic 22%. Now, for the first time in 15 years, Somalia has the beginnings of a governance framework, though the political situation remains fragile.

This decision was already anticipated by President José Manuel Barroso and the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, on 28 March, when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Yusuf and Prime Minister Ghedi for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. This signature is intended to be a strong political act of support to the transitional institutions. At that occasion, Commissioner Michel also announced his visit to Somalia in mid June, the first one by a European Commissioner in ten years.

Somalia has not had a functioning central government since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, which ushered in 15 years of conflict between rival clans and factions. Following the Somali National Reconciliation Conference, Transitional Federal Institutions were formed in January 2005, comprising the Transitional Federal Government and the Transitional Federal Parliament.

Commissioner Michel reiterated that "the EU has never abandoned the Somali people in the past 15 years and this decision demonstrates the commitment of the EU to ensure Somalia's recovery and reconstruction. The Transitional institutions remain the only option for peace and stability and I intend to foster linkages with them, when visiting Somalia next month, with a group of European Parliamentarians."

The Commission is the largest aid provider for Somalia. This package of support, from the resources from the 9^th European Development Fund, puts emphasis on peace, security and good governance. It will help to make basic social services available to the poorest and most vulnerable people and will reduce food insecurity. Somalia has the lowest GNP, the lowest adult literacy rate (primary school enrolment has slumped to 17%) and the highest infant mortality rate (22%)in the Horn of Africa.

The Somalia Recovery Programme will provide immediate support to address Somalia's Governance and security challenges, including consolidation of the Transitional Federal Institutions, support to delivery of social services particularly education, water and sanitation as well as rural development and food security. The programme will be implemented in close cooperation with several key partners, including the UN, NGOs and other donors.

The SRP includes €18 M for EC flight operations into Somalia. This is particularly urgent, as other projects depend on it for their transport in and out of Somalia to provide aid to people in the most remote regions of the country.

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