EU humanitarian aid for South-East Asia

The European Commission has recently taken three humanitarian aid decisions concerning Indonesia (€1.54 million), Cambodia (€0.7 million) and Burmese refugees living on the Thai-Myanmar border (€2 million). The assistance is channeled through its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the authority of Commissioner Poul Nielson.

Victims of floods and civil unrest in Indonesia - €1.54 million

Humanitarian assistance is being provided to 45,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and resettled families affected by the floods of February 2002 and by civil unrest in various parts of Indonesia. Actions to be funded include the cleaning of wells, the provision of food and rehabilitation materials, healthcare and improvements to water and sanitation systems. The decision also includes a component covering the distribution of educational/recreational kits, community awareness-raising and advocacy for vulnerable young people.

Dengue fever in Cambodia - €0.7 million

This decision aims to reduce the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Cambodia in 2002, and to promote awareness and long-term prevention measures. Larvacide will be purchased and distributed in 21 provinces reaching 666,000 families. In addition, 15,000 newly-designed permanently impregnated jar lids will be distributed as an alternative biological control method for mosquito larvae. A health-awareness campaign is also planned targeting almost 370,000 families. The programme is being implemented by the International Federation of Red Cross Societies, working closely with the Cambodian Red Cross.

Burmese refugees living in camps on the Thai- Myanmar border - €2 million

The aid targets some 42,000 Burmese refugees living in camps inside Thailand close to the border with Myanmar (Burma). The funding is being used to supply three key food items (rice, mug beans and cooking oil) as well as fuel for cooking.

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