EU provides more funds to Ethiopia in humanitarian aid

August 3, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — The European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the European Union (EU), has allocated 4.86 million euro (6.7 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to vulnerable people in Ethiopia affected by various natural and man- made disasters, the EC delegation in Ethiopia said Friday.

Climatic hazards, such as drought followed by floods, has increased the vulnerability of people to various water-borne diseases like acute diarrhea, said a statement from the EC delegation in Ethiopia.

The EC’s aim is to provide humanitarian assistance to around 750,000 vulnerable people, including internally displaced persons, in the sectors of health, water and sanitation and protection, the statement said.

All funds are channeled through the EC’s Humanitarian Aid Department, it said.

Since 2005, the EC has provided humanitarian aid to vulnerable people in Ethiopia for 14.5 million euro (about 20 million dollars) , including today’s allocation, the statement said, adding that extra 15 million euro (20.69 million dollars) has been allocated for food aid in 2007.

Ethiopia is also one of the seven countries which benefit from 10 million euros (13.8 million dollars) in humanitarian aid to improve drought preparedness in the Horn of Africa, the statement said.

Ethiopia would also benefit from one of the largest contributions in the framework of the 10th European Development Fund.

Ethiopia is sub-Saharan Africa’s second most populous country and is ranked seventh poorest in the world. Its development efforts have to rely on massive foreign financing, covering about one-third of the country’s annual budget.

(Xinhua)