23 October 2008
Addis Abeba — As the International community marks World Food Day 2008, the European Commission has adopted a new emergency funding decision of -15 million for food assistance in the Horn of Africa.
"The decision aims at saving lives and relieving suffering in one of the world's most vulnerable regions. The food crisis in the Horn of Africa has been caused by a combination of climatic shocks (In particular drought), local food inflation linked to high international prices, increased costs for fuel, transport and fertilizers, as well as other issues like security," the commission's delegation to Ethiopia said in a statement.
The total amount allocated by the Commission to food assistance worldwide in 2008 has now been boosted by -100 million to more than -323 million; it said adding that the overall food aid budget of the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) has been increased from -220.2 million in 2007 to -323.2 million so far this year.
Accordingly, the five largest recipients of Commission food assistance are Sudan (-86m), the Palestinian Territories (-40.6m), Ethiopia (-32.5m), Somalia (-27m) and Zimbabwe (-15m).
"The global financial crisis is dominating the news. Many people are worried about their jobs and financial security. World Food Day is a chance to remember that the current food crisis has even more dramatic consequences, putting the very lives of millions at risk. In some parts of the world, a major catastrophe is brewing because growing numbers of people don't have enough food to survive. The Commission has responded to these urgent needs by dramatically increasing its food assistance tot eh most vulnerable," the statement quoted Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, as having said.
There are more than 10 million potential beneficiaries of this latest funding in five countries in the Horn of Africa: 6.4 million in Ethiopia, 3.5 million in Somalia, 1.2 million in Kenya, 700,000 in Uganda and 135,000 in Djibouti.
The Commission said its support covers the distribution of food aid, nutritional support, therapeutic feeding (especially for malnourished children) and short-term livelihood support including livestock protection and the distribution of seeds, tools and agricultural inputs.
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