EU Humanitarian aid to Uganda, Somalia and Angola

Summary: March 19, 2004: Commission allocates EUR 22 million in humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in Uganda, Somalia and the Republic of Angola (Brussels)

The European Commission has adopted three humanitarian aid packages totalling €22 million for the victims of crises in Uganda (€6 Million), Somalia (€8 Million) and the Republic of Angola (€8 Million). These funds are managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson. They will help pay for better access to healthcare and nutrition programmes, improve food and water supplies and sanitation systems and facilitate the return and resettlement of displaced people.

Commenting on the decisions, Mr. Nielson said: "In Northern Uganda a whole generation of children have been damaged by the ravages of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group and in Somalia acute humanitarian needs are exacerbated by security problems and harsh climatic conditions. While humanitarian needs are obvious, these two crises have been largely forgotten by the international donor community. We therefore feel a special obligation to maintain our humanitarian engagement in Uganda and Somalia to the benefit of the many victims of these crises. The signing of a peace deal in Angola in 2002 prompted us to transform our programme from emergency aid to facilitating return and rehabilitation. By supporting a proper transition from humanitarian to longer-term assistance, we not only ensure a more efficient use of resources, but we also contribute to the strengthening of a recovery process that remains fragile."

Uganda - €6 Million

The adoption of this €6 million plan for 2004 demonstrates the European Commission's continued support and commitment to the forgotten crisis of Northern Uganda. In northern, central and eastern parts of Uganda, an estimated 1.4 Million people have been displaced as a result of insecurity and climatic hazards. HIV infection is a rapidly growing problem and rates have risen as high as 12.5%. Malaria prevalence in under-fives has reached 77% and maternal mortality is more than twice the national average (1,200 per 100,000 live births). From June 2002 to June 2003 alone 8,400 children were abducted by LRA. Susceptibility to food insecurity in the coming months is set to become very high and may initiate further population displacements or a general increase in food related morbidity and mortality. The 2002 harvest in Kotido, Kitgum and Pader districts completely failed with some 80% of yield lost.

ECHO's response will focus on:

Health and nutrition: Increasing the access of vulnerable groups to health care services by supporting hospital infrastructure, carrying out immunisation and vaccination campaigns, and therapeutic feeding for malnourished children.
Water and sanitation: Providing drinking water and sanitation facilities in camps for displaced people,
Food security: Activities in this sector will focus on reducing food aid dependency, for example through the distribution of seeds and tools when fields become available
Non food items: Displaced people will be provided with shelter and essential household items.

Finally activities will include protection of vulnerable groups and coordination of humanitarian activities in general. Particular attention will be paid to vulnerable groups (especially women and children).

An estimated 500,000 people are expected to benefit from these activities over the next fifteen months. During 2000-2002 ECHO funds made available for Uganda totalled nearly €3 million, with an additional €8 million made available in 2003.

Somalia - €8 million

ECHO's priority for Somalia in 2004 is to address the core emergency humanitarian needs that persist as a result of the ongoing civil conflict, and which are compounded by climatic extremes such as drought and flooding. Access to basic health care services, clean water, sanitation and education is extremely limited with some 30% of the population of Somalia without access to any health services. The infant mortality rate is estimated at 132 per 1,000 live births. Malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea account for more then half of all mortalities in children under 5 years of age. Chronic instability has resulted in the break down of water supply systems, especially in central and southern Somalia. Only about 20% of the population have access to safe drinking water.

ECHO's response will focus on:

Health: This decision will increase access to health and nutritional services by providing essential health services (including mother and child health care, maternity care and surgery for war wounded), expanded vaccination programmes, and therapeutic and supplementary feeding.
Water and Sanitation: Projects funded will chlorinate, rehabilitate or improve key existing water points, and establish new water points or provide water trucking when no other solution is possible. Vulnerable groups will be offered hygiene education to help reduce the incidence of disease.
Improving food supply: ECHO will fund vaccination and anti-parasite treatment for livestock, together with some livestock food supplements where necessary. Seeds, tools and irrigation equipment will also be provided.

An estimated 500,000 people are expected to benefit from these activities over the next fifteen months. ECHO has provided more than €20 million to Somalia since 2000.

Republic of Angola - €8 million

After 27 years of civil war the April 2002 ceasefire in the Republic of Angola shaped the development for lasting peace. However the situation on the ground remains unchanged. More than 3.8 million war affected people have resettled or returned to their area of origin since the ceasefire. Up to 70% of these people have returned without any form of assistance from their local authorities or humanitarian organisations, to areas not considered suitable for resettlement. Access is hampered by land mines (there are an estimated 6-7 mio. unexploded landmines in Angola), broken bridges and poor road conditions. Reduced access to food in former conflict areas has created widespread food insecurity and acute malnutrition in places. It is estimated that there are approximately 100,000 people, reportedly with critical needs. During 2003 the majority of returnees remained dependent on assistance. 2.7 million Angolans remain without secure food supplies despite the successful 2003 harvest. Children are particularly affected by the conflict and will be the major beneficiary of ECHO financed interventions.

ECHO's response will focus on:

Return and settlement of war affected population: In order to facilitate the return and assist the resettlement of returning and war affected Angolans, activities will focus on establishing minimum resettlement conditions in the returning areas as well as provide the basis for more durable solutions. Activities will include provision of nutritional support, preventive and curative primary health care, emergency water and sanitation activities, provision of agricultural inputs including seeds and livestock for breeding, de-mining activities to secure access, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, protection of returnees including tracing and reunification, emergency education and logistical support to repatriating refugees and returnees.

An estimated one million people are expected to benefit from these activities over the next fifteen months. ECHO has allocated €170 million to Angola since 1993.

More information on ECHO activities:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm /a>

For the text in German please go to:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/367|0|RAPID&lg=EN

Ref: EC04-056EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 19/3/2004

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