News Releases

No. 24/07
March 14, 2007

EU GIVES ADDITIONAL 60 MILLION EUROS FOR VICTIMS OF DARFUR CRISIS

The European Commission has adopted two global humanitarian aid plans totalling 60 million Euros for large-scale aid operations in Sudan and Chad. Beneficiaries of the 45 million Euros global plan for Sudan are the most vulnerable populations throughout the country and in particular in Darfur and South Sudan. The 15 million Euros global plan for Chad focuses on assistance for refugees, displaced people and vulnerable resident communities in the east and the south of the country.

The main humanitarian concern of the Commission continues to be the conflict in the Sudanese province of Darfur. Up to four million people are affected and around two million are displaced. Some 230,000 have sought refuge in Chad. Due to an increase in violence against civilians, some areas in eastern Chad have suffered depopulation, and relief agencies are now trying to help around 100,000 displaced people. At the same time, because of the spill-over of the fighting into Chad, thousands of Chadians have crossed the border in the other direction and are now refugees in Darfur.

110 million Euros in 2007 for humanitarian and food aid

A total of 110 million Euros has been earmarked for relief assistance in Sudan and Chad during 2007: the 60 million Euros announced today and 50 million Euros in food aid (40 million Euros for Sudan and 10 million Euros for Chad). Between 2004 and 2006, the Commission allocated more than 357 million Euros to meet humanitarian needs linked to crises in Sudan.

A major concern is the increasing difficulty in implementing relief efforts. Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "The additional humanitarian aid Europeans have mobilized is badly needed by millions of suffering people who bear the brunt of the violence in Darfur and beyond. There is no question about our willingness to help the victims of the conflict but the work of relief organizations on the ground has become increasingly difficult and dangerous. This is simply not acceptable. Humanitarian workers provide relief impartially to those who need it the most. The Sudanese authorities and rebel movements have an obligation to facilitate their work and ensure their safety."

With the additional 60 million Euros, the Commission aims to enhance the protection of civilians and provide basic life-saving assistance, including water supplies, treatment for malnourished children, emergency drug kits, mobile clinics, measures to tackle cholera, hygiene products and shelter.

Beyond the Darfur crisis, the global plans for Sudan and Chad cover the humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in South Sudan, displaced people throughout the country and some 48,000 refugees from the Central African Republic living in camps in southern Chad.

The Commission is also a major financial contributor to the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS).

Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran

The European Commission furthermore announced today that it will provide 18 million Euros to the most vulnerable people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. This funding will benefit returning refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities. Relief will be provided in the form of shelter and basic services, such as water and sanitation. All funds will be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).

Background

Humanitarian and food aid funding are channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) under the responsibility of EU Commissioner Louis Michel. Commission-funded projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

For more information, see:

Darfur: http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/Africa.htm#Darfur

Afghanistan: http://www.eurunion.org/partner/euusterror/EUandAfghanistan.htm

Pakistan: http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/Asia.htm#Pakistan

Iran: http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/Iran.htm

Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
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Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766