News Release
Poul Nielson
No. 38/04
March 4, 2004
EUROPEAN COMMISSION EARMARKS EUR 1.8 MILLION IN EMERGENCY
FUNDING FOR THE CRISIS IN HAITI
The European Commission has responded quickly to new needs arising from the
conflict in
Haiti, by earmarking 1.8 million in emergency humanitarian aid. The main
focus of this decision (1.5 million) is the provision of emergency health care
and protection to help victims of the violence. Funds will be channelled through
the Humanitarian Aid Office
(ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner
Poul Nielson.
Commenting on the decision, Mr. Nielson said: "I am pleased to announce
that the Commission will provide rapid relief for vulnerable Haitians affected
by the recent crisis. It is clear that international support is needed, particularly
in the health sector. Thanks to a co-ordinated response from the Commission and
the French government, seven Red Cross ambulances will be airlifted to
Haiti ."
Haiti has been faced with a serious political and socioeconomic crisis for
several years. The recent crisis has aggravated the situation creating additional
and urgent humanitarian needs. The Commission has therefore earmarked 1.8 million
for emergency humanitarian aid to Haiti . Operations will focus on emergency health
care and protection.
Emergency health care
The events of the last few weeks have crippled the Haitian health service.
Although the demand for emergency treatment has increased, most clinics and hospitals
are not working because equipment has been destroyed and medical personnel have
fled the violence. There are only eight Red Cross ambulances in the country, making
it very difficult to transport casualties to hospital in good time. ECHO has therefore
decided to fund seven ambulances to be provided by the French Red Cross, as well
as measures to set up an effective ambulance network. The French Government has
agreed to pay for the airlift of the ambulances from France to Haiti.
Protection
The lack of security is a serious problem for humanitarian organisations,
and the International Committee of the Red Cross has reported several breaches
of international humanitarian law, including the kidnapping of wounded patients
in hospital. This decision will help ECHO's partners in Haiti to protect the victims
of the violence, by, for example, reinforcing protection in hospitals.
ECHO will also fund essential humanitarian co-ordination work carried out
by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)to
ensure that international aid efforts are used to best effect. This decision is
expected to benefit three million citizens living in the worst hit cities, including
the capital Port-au-Prince .
At the moment humanitarian organisations have very little information about
the situation of people living in rural zones that are difficult to access. ECHO
is monitoring the situation constantly from its Regional Office based in neighbouring
Dominican Republic , and a second funding decision will be prepared as soon as
further needs are identified.
More information on ECHO activities:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm
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Press Contacts:
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Anthony Gooch
202-862-9523
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