The European Commission has allocated 20 million euro in humanitarian aid for the victims of the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, the Commission revealed in a press release on Wednesday. This latest aid package will help provide the victims with food and nutritional support, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, emergency health care and protection for vulnerable civilians. The aid will be channelled through the European Commissions Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and brings total Commission aid for the Darfur crisis to €104 for this year.
Poul Nielson, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Development, said: the humanitarian situation in Darfur is still extremely worrying, and by all accounts could deteriorate further. Since the beginning of the crisis last year the European Commission has progressively increased its financial support and has been actively advocating for access for aid workers and a peaceful solution to the conflict. Continuing violence in the region has claimed the lives of thousands of people, and is seriously hampering the delivery of humanitarian aid. All armed groups must bring this violence to an end once and for all. The people of Darfur have already suffered too much.
The largest portion of the aid – a cash donation worth 15 million euro – will help the World Food Programme implement a massive food distribution programme from now and through the winter months. The remaining 5 million euro will be used to provide food security, protection and care for vulnerable groups, shelter and essential items such as cooking pots and clothes, clean water and basic sanitation services.
ECHO is currently managing a budget of 57 million euro for the Darfur crisis, in addition to its regular 20 million euro programme for Sudan. Since 1994, the Commission, through ECHO has allocated close to 260 million euro in humanitarian assistance to both North and South Sudan.
Yderligere oplysninger: http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/information/media/darfur/media_gallery_fr.htm
Kilde: EU
