Darfur: EC President Barroso announces extra €40m in humanitarian aid

The European Commission has allocated a further €40 million for life-saving humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Darfur crisis in Sudan. The funding includes €26 million in support of the efforts of the World Food Programme to meet growing nutritional needs in the crisis zone. Other activities being financed include protection and the UN humanitarian air services (UNHAS) which provide vital links to otherwise inaccessible areas. This new humanitarian aid builds on previous Commission decisions for the region.

During a visit to El Fasher, in North Darfur, President José Manuel Barroso said: "Darfur is suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The European Union is playing a leading role both in the search for a political solution, and improve the humanitarian situation. But we can do more; that is why we are visiting Sudan today, why we are continuing our support for the Africa Union peacekeepers in Darfur and why we are increasing our support. I was impressed by the courage of young Europeans risking their lives to help others. That is a Europe to be proud."

The funds are channelled through the Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) under the responsibility of Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. During this trip to Khartoum and El Fasher, Commissioner Michel expressed "deep concern" about the plight of Darfurians whose access to aid was threatened. "International law must be respected," he insisted. "That means guaranteeing access to victims and a humanitarian space for agencies to deliver essential relief. I call on the authorities and the rebel movements to respect their obligations and do what is needed to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers alike."

The Commission has now provided aid worth more than €340 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur since 2004. It is also a major contributor to the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS).

Commission-funded humanitarian projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent and specialised UN agencies. In Sudan and in eastern Chad (which hosts many refugees who have fled the conflict in Darfur), the Commission is currently working with 52 partner organisations.

For further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm

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• Brussels European Council - EU Presidency Conclusions (15/12/2006)
• EUHR Solana welcomes decision to send UN high-level mission to Darfur (13/12/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - Strengthening the coordination of humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance of the UN (13/11/2006)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (17/10/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions  (17/10/2006)
• Sudan/Darfur: EU Council extends EU civilian-military supporting action (17/10/2006)
• Summary of EUHR Solana's address to EU Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (4/10/2006)
• European Commission-African Union Joint Declaration  (2/10/2006)
• EU Commission and Commission of AU meet in Addis Ababa (28/9/2006)
• European Commission statement on Darfur (18/9/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (15/9/2006)
• EUHR Solana expresses serious concern about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur (19/8/2006)
• EUHR Solana at Darfur Conference (18/7/2006)