EU to increase Darfur contribution to 480 Euro
African Union
PRESS RELEASE
Visit to El Fasher by a delegation of the European Union
October 2, 2006 — A European Union Commission delegation composed of fifty members led by President Jose Manuel Borroso paid a one day working visit to the North Darfur State on 1st October 2006.
The delegation which also included the EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr Louis Michel, was received at the AMIS Force Headquarters by the Deputy Head of Mission, Ambassador Hassan Gibril and the new Force Commander, General LKF Aprezi as well as, their civilian and military counterparts.
After the usual reception ceremonies, the European delegation was briefed on the current military situation in the AMIS Area of Operation and how it impacts on the Mission’s operational activities.
It is important to note that the European delegation, in the course of its visit, paid successive visits to local authorities in the State of El Fasher, amongst them, the Governor of the region, representatives of the International Red Cross Committee, delegates from different Humanitarian Organizations operating in the region and the World Food Programme.
At the centre of the different encounters and discussions, was principally the issue of AMIS activities and the contribution of the European Union Commission, all geared towards alleviating the sufferings of the displaced populations in the field of humanitarian assistance and/or food supply.
It is a press conference that concluded the visit to Darfur by the delegation of the European Union Commission, out which Mr Barroso once again restated that the European Union Commission was the principal contributor in the efforts by the international community in resolving the Darfur crisis with a contribution estimated at Euro 340 million.
This contribution will be augmented by an additional 40 million Euros out of which 26 million will be expended on food supply.
The President of the Commission paid homage to AMIS for the appreciable work done in the Mission; a Mission which deserves the cooperation of the Sudanese Government and the international community to achieve its objectives, whose priority is, the restoration of definitive and durable peace in Darfur.
MOUSSA HAMANI
INFORMATION OFFICER
AMIS.FHQ, EL FASHER.