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News Releases
No. 51/06
June 23, 2006
EU CONTRIBUTES €105 MILLION TO THE TEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL MECHANISM FOR THE PALESTINIANS
The European Commission is announcing today that it will
make a contribution of €105 million to the
Temporary
International Mechanism, for the
Palestinians. This
Mechanism, developed by the EU at the request of the
“Quartet” (EU, US, UN and Russia) and endorsed by the
European Council, will facilitate the direct delivery of
assistance to the Palestinian people to meet basic
needs, without the money passing to or through the PA
(Palestinian Authority) government. The allocation covers all three “windows” of
the Mechanism (health, utilities, social allowances) and
technical assistance. It brings the total made available
from the Community Budget so far this year to the
Palestinian Territories to €259 million.
 The
EU Commissioner for
External Relations and
European Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
(pictured), said: “The
Temporary International Mechanism will bring relief
addressing urgent basic needs and the EU is making good
on its promises to continue as a reliable partner for
the Palestinian people. I hope that other donors will
soon make public their pledges to the Mechanism. We
would be able to do more for the Palestinians if their
government committed itself to seeking peace by peaceful
means.”
The €105 million package breaks down into €92.75 million
for the three “windows,” plus €12 million for technical
assistance and capacity building:
- €10 million for health supplies through the Emergency
Services Support Programme (ESSP) of the World Bank.
- €40 million for the Interim Emergency Relief
Contribution (IERC) of the European Commission which is
being reinforced to ensure uninterrupted supply of
essential utilities such as fuel, particularly to the
power station in Gaza.
- €40 million for the payment of allowances to
individuals. This covers a contribution to the payment
of social allowances to those who are providing care in
hospitals and clinics and social allowances to those in
greatest need.
- €2.75 to support implementation of the Mechanism.
- €12 million is available to support operations during
the life of the Mechanism. This could include technical
assistance and capacity building, support and equipment
to the President’s office, as well as other authorised
autonomous bodies (e.g., Central Electoral Commission).
The parts of the Mechanism dealing with health and
utilities will be launched immediately, with the aim of
starting payments to individuals by early July. The
Commission is already working with partners to develop
the programme to deliver social allowances to those in
greatest need, which will start up as soon as
practicable. All three will operate with strict controls
in full accountability and transparency.
Since the Hamas-led PA government came to power, the
European Union has suspended direct aid to or through
the government.
It has, however, expanded its assistance to help meet
Palestinian basic needs. €154 million has already been
made available in 2006, which includes €64 million for
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, €40 million
to ensure uninterrupted power supply, and €34 million
humanitarian aid. Despite the suspension of direct aid
announced earlier in the year, the EU is still the
biggest donor to the Palestinians.
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/gaza/intro/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/mepp/index.htm
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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