EU humanitarian activities in the Palestinian Territories

Summary: April 8, 2002: Information note on Commission funded humanitarian activities in the Palestinian Territories (Brussels)

The European Commission today strongly urged the Israeli authorities to give humanitarian agencies full access to the victims of the escalating conflict in the Palestinian Territories. Please refer to the statements by President Prodi and EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson in document IP/02/512 available at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/512|0|RAPID&lg=EN

The purpose of this document is to provide factual information on the humanitarian activities financed by the European Commission through its EU Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO. ECHO has an annual budget of approximately €500 million. It funds relief to victims of natural disasters and man-made crises outside the EU. Aid is channeled direct to victims regardless of their race, religion or political beliefs through organizations that have signed a Framework Partnership Agreement with the Commission.

Humanitarian aid 2000-2001 for the Palestinian Territories…

ECHO has been providing humanitarian aid to the civilian populations of the Palestinian territories for a number of years. €18.195 million was spent in 2000 €26.260 million in 2001, making a total of €44.445 million for the period 2000-2001. The projects financed by ECHO are implemented by European Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In 2000, three areas of intervention were identified as a priority; the health sector, the rehabilitation of shelters in Palestinian refugee camps and assistance to Bedouin communities. During the course of the year, ECHO also responded to the growing crisis with medical assistance and food aid.
In 2001, ECHO grants were targeted towards emergency relief projects aimed at guaranteeing access to water and to ensuring the functioning of primary health care centres. Distribution of food and non-food items to the most vulnerable Palestinian families was also provided. In response to ever-increasing needs, psychosocial support projects for children were funded, as was emergency food aid.
… and for 2002

On 2 April, the Commission adopted a €5 million aid package designed to deliver essential relief to the most vulnerable victims of the crisis in the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon. This decision envisages:

Provision of medical equipment for emergency health centres and supply of medicines and equipment to Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) hospitals and the upgrading of their services;
Provision of psychosocial assistance and material support to the most vulnerable families in the refugee camps in Rafah and Khan Yunis (Gaza);
Distribution of food and access to safe drinking water;
Water, sanitation and sewage waste disposal works in Palestinian refugee camps and unregistered settlements;
Provision of material assistance (professional kits) and adequate professional training to the most vulnerable Palestinian refugees in five camps in Lebanon;
Assistance to mentally and physically disabled Palestinians in Lebanon.

Given the increased needs, ECHO is currently preparing a further emergency decision for around €1.7 million. This decision will be formally approved in the coming days and will fund the following activities:

Distribution of food and hygiene items through ICRC to the most vulnerable families in both the West Bank villages sealed off by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and in Gaza. Target beneficiaries are estimated at 10,000.
To strengthen the logistic capacity of ICRC, six Land Cruisers as ambulances will be airlifted from Brussels (with non-Palestinian number plates).
Distribution of food, medicines, gas and fuel for cooking and water pumps by Save the Children in the city of Jenin;
Dispatch by Terre des Hommes - Italie of a team of ten doctors to the cities in the West Bank currently reoccupied and sealed off by the IDF.

It is important to underline that that these operations can only be carried out once humanitarian aid workers can access the beneficiaries. The Commission is taking the necessary measures to ensure that relief can be delivered immediately once conditions allow.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/en/index_en.html

Ref: EC02-062EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum: Other
Date: 8/4/2002

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