EU unveils huge food aid package

March 4, 2008 (BRUSSELS) — The EU Commission on Tuesday announced its biggest-ever food aid package, 160 million euros (243 million dollars) to help alleviate hunger in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

“Vulnerable people in many of the world’s poorest countries are increasingly exposed to natural disasters, conflict and economic pressures that can rapidly lead to situations whereby people go hungry,” said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel.

“The European Union has an essential role in providing them with food aid, and in restoring food production.”

The funding decision is the largest ever of its kind by the commission’s aid department and more money will be allocated later in the year, Michel said.

The spokesman, John Clancy, said the commission had already taken into account the recent spectacular rise in food prices, which has seen the price of wheat shoot up by 81 percent last year.

He also assured that more funding would be found if necessary, perhaps from the EU’s emergency coffers.

European money will be targetted at “priority locations”; Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, the Sahel countries of northern Africa, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia and the Palestinian Territories.

The EU’s executive arm estimates that around 18.7 million people will benefit directly from the aid, including children and young mothers, refugees and areas hosting refugees.

As well as food aid to distressed populations in the aftermath of natural disasters, epidemics, or armed conflicts, the aid will also take the form of more long-term support including seeds, tools and fertilisers.

Most of the projects will be implemented by the UN World Food Programme.

(AFP)