Summary: October 28, 2002: Commission approves EUR 29 million in support of Palestinian reform efforts and in response to the deteriorating situation on the ground (Brussels)
The European Commission is providing a further €7 million for humanitarian aid operations in the Palestinian Territories, another €7 million towards reform of the Palestinian judiciary, €5 million in emergency support for the private sector, and €10 million in support of the health sector. This aid will be channeled through the EU Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and the EuropeAid Co-operation Office. The European Commission is anxious to ensure full access for the delivery of its
assistance. Since mid-2001 there have been over 20 incidents involving European NGOs, other contractors working for the European Commission and EC officials who have been prevented from carrying out their tasks properly.
External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said: "The projects sponsored by the European Commission are concrete initiatives in response to the worsening crisis and in support of the ongoing Palestinian reform process. Israel must make it easier for humanitarian workers to do their job in the Palestinian territories." Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson commented: "The humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people is deepening and I am
concerned at the increasingly difficult situation on the ground for humanitarian missions in the region. I urge Israel to allow full, safe, and unfettered access to those in desperate need who depend on international assistance."
Humanitarian assistance worth €7 million, channeled through ECHO, will be used to support the most vulnerable Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza. In the course of the last six months the intensification of conflict has further exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, leading to the need for new and larger scale activities. This decision responds to the increasing humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population by providing food and non-food items. Field
assessments in the region have illustrated a growing problem in families' food supplies. Purchasing power is decreasing, since many households no longer have an income. Due to closures, farmers in rural areas are unable to market their products. Assistance is needed to ensure an adequate living standard and to prevent the problems from worsening.
The funding will cover the distribution of monthly vouchers for the most vulnerable families, provision of student and school kits, as well as complementary food packages for malnourished children and their families. Support is also being provided in the field of water and sanitation and in medical assistance through health care programmes necessary to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian population.
In addition ECHO is supporting the protection activities undertaken by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) designed to ensure that civilians are accorded the full protection foreseen under International Humanitarian Law.
ECHO's partners in the region, which include Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Red Cross-organizations and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will implement the projects. ECHO has a long-standing commitment to help all victims of the Middle East crises. Its support to the region amounts to over €78 million since the beginning of 2000.
A further four projects worth €22 million are announced today, to continue support for the Palestinian reform process, and bilateral co-operation with the Palestinian Authority. These will be channeled through the EuropeAid Cooperation Office.
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