Humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan: EU Commission provides additional €35 million

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said:

"Peace and stability in Afghanistan are still a long way off. Some projects have improved the lives of many Afghans but the recent deterioration of the security situation makes it difficult to carry out development and reconstruction. This, coupled with many years of drought, has led to an escalation in humanitarian needs. That is why we have increased our humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Afghans over the past few years."

Insecurity is severely affecting humanitarian operations in Afghanistan where 28 humanitarian aid workers were killed last year alone. Roadside bombs make the monitoring of relief projects more and more difficult. At the same time, relief activities by military forces lead to a blurring of the lines between military and civilian roles.

In view of the increasing need for coordination, including civil/military coordination, and advocacy for the respect of international humanitarian law and principles, the Commission will support the leading role of the newly re-established office in Afghanistan of OCHA, the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Components of the Commission's assistance include also protection activities, water and sanitation, shelter, food assistance and response to small-scale natural disasters. The Commission also supports the provision of air transport (for aid workers and aid) and security information and advice for humanitarian organisations.

All funds are channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. ECHO has been active in Afghanistan since its creation in 1992 and has intensified its interventions since 2001. Since 1994, the Commission has allocated nearly €500 million in humanitarian aid, including today's allocation. Commission-funded projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

This assistance is additional to the amount of €60 mio pledged by the European Commission during the recent donor conference in The Hague for 2009/2010 for strengthening governance and rural development. This pledge increased the assistance package of the European Commission for Afghanistan to €700 mio for 2007 - 2010 confirming the Commission's role as one of the most important donors in Afghanistan.

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

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